In my neighbourhood, as in all of France, Saturday afternoons are marked by the hum of lawnmowers. When it comes to lawn mowing, everyone has their habits: some stick to the grass collection box while others prefer mulching. And it’s clear that "mulchers" are still quite a minority. Perhaps due to a lack of information… So today, let’s explore everything you need to know about mulching!
What is mulching?
When we talk about mowing, mulching 1 involves leaving the grass clippings in place, finely shredded. This mowing can be done either with a mower designed exclusively for this purpose (100% mulching or a robotic mower) or one equipped with a mulching option or kit. The unique feature of these mowers is that the grass is not simply ejected; it is literally chopped by passing multiple times through the deck with a special blade. It is then left on the ground, where it is quickly "digested."
Benefits of mulching
- An ecological, quick, and hassle-free mow
The first advantage of mulching is that you don’t have to deal with grass clippings. By mulching, you won’t need to take them to the tip or try to compost them (large quantities of grass decompose poorly and disrupt compost). Mowing while mulching is also quicker since there’s no need to stop to empty the collection box. - A beneficial mow for grass growth
Leaving the grass in place helps nourish the lawn: you regularly return to the soil what it has produced, in the form of water and nitrogen, which the lawn needs. Fertiliser applications thus become unnecessary. This ongoing fertilisation also helps maintain a good level of microbial life in the soil: it doesn’t compact, the grass can root deeper, and better withstand dry periods. Moreover, provided you don’t mow too short, mulching helps reduce the appearance of weeds. Indeed, "well-nourished" grasses are more vigorous and compete better against adventive plants that establish themselves less easily.
→ To learn everything about sowing and maintaining your lawn, check out our advice sheet "Having a beautiful lawn in 10 questions and answers"
Precautions to take
Sometimes it’s said that mulching isn’t always good. I would say rather that it’s not always suitable! Indeed, this method of mowing requires taking a few precautions:
- Mowing in "mulching" mode requires regular and frequent mowing in conditions favourable to grass growth.
- You shouldn’t mow too short and should not cut more than one-third of the height of the grass with each pass.
- Mowing should be done when the grass is dry: wet grass doesn’t circulate properly in a mulching mower’s deck and clumps together.
Common misconceptions about mulching
Despite the many advantages of mulching, the practice struggles to become widespread. Here are the main hesitations:
- "Mulching brings grass blades everywhere in the house."
False. Don’t confuse mulching with simple ejection. When mowing correctly in mulching mode (see above), the grass pieces are tiny and decompose very quickly. You won’t bring in more grass into your living room than with traditional mowing with collection. - "Mulching suffocates the grass"
False. On the contrary, by nourishing the soil, the grass clippings contribute to its health.
True… if you mow too short when the grass is too high, especially if it’s wet. Indeed, if you do the first mow of the year a bit late, mow after a long holiday, or if you want to cut quite short in one go (which is not good at all!), mulching is not recommended. Similarly, if you mow a lawn that is too wet: the grass will clump together and form piles. - "Mulching encourages moss growth"
False. What encourages moss growth is poorly draining, acidic soil and mowing too short. - "Mulching causes thatch"
False. Thatch, sometimes called "felt," is a layer of organic matter made up of dead grasses that struggle to decompose. This thatch layer limits nutrient exchange: water struggles to infiltrate, and grass grows slowly. This phenomenon appears when biological activity is low. However, what causes the loss of biological activity in a lawn is collection! Nevertheless, be aware that switching to mulching on a lawn that already has a thick felt layer will not solve the problem: you will first need to dethatch using a scarifier.
Which mulching mower to choose?
You’ve understood that you can’t mulch properly with just any mower. But, how do you choose your mulching mower?
The best mulching mower is one that is suitable for the size and nature of your land, but also and especially, for your habits!
If you live in a relatively humid area where the grass is only dry for 2 months out of 12, or if your schedule doesn’t allow you to mow regularly and at the right time, we recommend opting for a mower that can be easily used in both collection and mulching modes. This will allow you to adapt to each situation with a single and simple operation. However, avoid entry-level models: this versatility requires a certain degree of technicality to achieve good results.
100% mulching mowers are generally reserved for meticulous gardeners and professionals: you won’t be able to use them as flexibly. However, they have the advantage of being quick and able to navigate everywhere, which is a real plus when mowing frequently.
Finally, robotic mowers are ideal if you want to switch to 100% mulching without hassle: autonomous, they mow almost continuously, which, as you can see, is perfect for mulching!
To learn everything about choosing a lawn mower: "How to choose your lawn mower" and check out our article: 5 good reasons to adopt a manual mower that is naturally predisposed to mulching.
Good to know:
- The terms mulch or "mulching" refer to two things: the action of leaving grass in place during mowing but also to mulching, the action of applying mulch. If you’re interested in this second topic, I invite you to consult our file dedicated to mulching.
In my neighbourhood, as in all of France, Saturday afternoons are marked by the hum of lawnmowers. When it comes to lawn mowing, everyone has their habits: some stick to the grass collection box while others prefer mulching. And it’s clear that “mulchers” are still quite a minority. Perhaps due to a lack of information… […]
The mulching fabric or planting tarp has become, in just a few years, a staple in landscaping. Whether in public spaces or private gardens, it is rare for the soil not to be covered by it. Why? To help plants grow faster, with no maintenance, no weeding, and no watering.
What a great plan! But does the tarp really deliver on its promises? Should we use it? I won’t beat around the bush and, at the risk of upsetting all those whose gardens are equipped with it: the answer is no, and I’ll explain why.
Does mulching fabric promote plant growth?
When planting on a tarp, one generally observes good plant growth during the first two or three years. However, things gradually deteriorate afterwards. Indeed, the soil needs to be regularly amended to maintain its fertility. In a forest, this is a natural process that is child’s play: leaves fall from the trees, decompose, and create humus.
Forest soil maintains its own fertility: a process to replicate at the base of hedges
On soil covered with a tarp, this process is blocked as the fabric acts as a barrier to decomposing elements. This results in soil depletion, which ultimately leads to a lack of nutrients for the plants. In the medium to long term, the soil loses its vitality, and under strict conditions, trees and bushes become weakened. Some may fall ill... and die prematurely.
Regarding watering, yes, the tarp retains moisture, but not more than organic mulching... and possibly less, as rainwater tends to run off and infiltrates more slowly, depriving the soil of the benefits of a good downpour.
Is mulching fabric effective against "weeds"?
I experience this every day. In my street, two flower beds were planted at the same time: mine and the one belonging to the council. I mulched with pruning chippings, while they laid down a tarp.
In the first year, I had a bit of work, sure (they laughed...). But for the past two years, I hardly intervene, while the council’s green space team spends at least an hour a month on theirs (and now, I’m the one laughing!). Why? Simply because in my bed, weeding is easy: I just have to pull out the intruders by their roots. Meanwhile, my friends from the council struggle to extract those that infiltrate every little crevice.
Finally, observing what happens on the mulching fabric over the long term, one notices that quickly, the leaves that fall end up decomposing on the surface, forming a substrate ready to welcome any seed: while weeds may struggle to grow under the tarp, they easily find a way through and thrive on top of it!
The proof is in these images, mundane yet very telling:
An unappealing aspect / substrate forming on the surface / a dead bush has left a gaping hole quickly occupied by an opportunistic dandelion!
On the implementation and aesthetics of planting tarps
Having experienced the installation of tarps, done properly, during a training course with a landscaper (the longest two weeks of my life), I can tell you: it’s particularly difficult. Despite my limited sewing skills, adapting it to the shape of the bed and ensuring the entire surface is covered is far from enjoyable. The worst part is certainly having to plant through it: you have to make a cross-shaped opening with a cutter, but it mustn’t be too large... You slide the root ball in, and it is impossible to check that the plant is in contact with the soil and at the right level!
Finally, for economic reasons, mulching fabrics are rarely covered with decorative mulch. And inevitably, it looks ugly... especially when it frays!
How to do without planting fabric?
When you have little time to devote to your garden and are not a big fan of weeding, what can you do? It’s quite simple: first, don’t skip the preparation: weed and carefully loosen the planting area by extracting as many roots as possible (you have the right to curse the couch grass!). Add a bit of compost, plant, water, and then mulch generously with a thick layer of organic mulch (commercial types like Fibralgo, bark for ericaceous plants, chippings, straw…). It will decompose slowly, fertilising the soil. After a year, renew the mulch if necessary, and once the plants are well established, you can, if you wish:
- plant groundcovers: they will form a lovely carpet at the base of trees or bushes,
- if it’s a trimmed hedge or perennials, leave the residues in place to maintain soil coverage,
- let spontaneous flora grow... In a natural garden, this is perfectly acceptable!
Thus, you won’t have more maintenance than if you had laid a tarp, and your plants will thrive.
Is biodegradable tarp a good alternative?
Mulching a very large area or a long hedge requires moving a large volume of mulch. If you’re not a fan of wheelbarrows, biodegradable mulching fabric is a good alternative. It is more expensive, but offers the advantage of being more aesthetically pleasing, more environmentally friendly, and above all, it decomposes naturally! Made from coconut fibre or jute, it allows for good plant growth. It is also, in combination with suitable perennial plants and groundcover bushes, a good solution for greening difficult areas like slopes.
In conclusion, know that if you have tarp in your garden, it’s never too late to do the right thing: don’t hesitate to remove it and install a nourishing mulch instead... your plants will thank you!
The mulching fabric or planting tarp has become, in just a few years, a staple in landscaping. Whether in public spaces or private gardens, it is rare for the soil not to be covered by it. Why? To help plants grow faster, with no maintenance, no weeding, and no watering. What a great plan! But […]