Grass Clippings

With Spring in full swing, the grass around the house site has really exploded.  With the trees planted and the fence up to protect them from the cows getting in, it means that for the first time since I've had the farm, I needed to cut the grass. When I cut grass, I generally leave it where it falls rather than catch and remove it.  It keeps the organic matter on the property and it also provides food for earth worms.

But what else can we use grass clippings for?

There are quite a few uses actually, but one that I find very helpful, is as mulch for fruit trees.

I have read many articles that do not recommend this practice as green grass clippings can cause rot in the tree.

I have never experienced this myself, although just in case, I ensure there is at least 2 inches clearance around the trunk.

So what are the benefits?

Obviously as a much, this conserves moisture in the soil and suppreses weeds.  The concentration of grass clippings also ensures a healthy supply of worms beneath.  This worm activity means these nutrients are being brought into the soil and that the soil is also being areated as they burrow around beneath.

I would always use grass clippings beneath the fruit trees at my old house.  When I removed them this year, there were SO MANY worms within the root systems that I knew this approach was a winner.  I was also amazed at how much  rich organic topsoil this process created as the layers of grass broke down over a few years.

So after cutting the grass at the farm, I gathered it all up and mulched them around the row of citrus trees I planted.  Fingers crossed I can get the same results here too.