To accommodate this practice, mulching mowers are now available that chop the clippings into small pieces and distribute them back to the turf surface. If clippings are removed they can be used in compost piles or as mulch. Backyard compost stations are beocming popular throughout the state and grass clippings are a welcome amendment. An important concept for composting is to create the correct carbon to nitrogen balance in the pile. So combining or layering them with leaves, straw, or other materials which have a higher carbon content will be quite effective.
Many gardeners use grass clippings as a mulch in vegetable or ornamental gardens.
This is an excellent use fore this material, but special attention should be given for use of the clippings directly after weed control products have been applied. In tests conducted at MSU, researchers applied several pest control products to lawn turf, then mowed at 2 and 14 days after application. The clippings were used as mulch around a variety of annual flowers and vegetable plants. Some weed control products caused injury to the plants when clippings were used as mulch up to 14 days after application. The clippings were used as mulch around a variety of annual flowers and vegetable plants.