Mulching is a great way to get rid of fallen leaves in the autumn, as well as grass clippings  during the growing season. The use of a cutting deck for mulching means that when the grass has been cut the first time, the clippings are thrown back up into the cutting deck and then fall down onto the blades a second time. That way the blades of grass are finely cut for quicker, more efficient dispersal.

Mulching should only be done when there is active micro life in the soil. That means that the temperature in the surface layer of your soil should be at least 6 degrees Celsius. If mulching is done regularly when the grass is not growing, for instance during the warm summer months or late in the autumn, there will be little or no decomposition. Consequently there will be a greater risk of thatch development.

Grass remains contain 80 to 85% water, which makes it decompose quickly with a low risk of causing thatch, unlike other dead plant remains. The decomposition of grass remains occurs most rapidly if only a third of the blade length is cut off on each occasion. However, no more than half of the length of the blade should ever be cut, as this would increase the risk of dehydration due to loss of fluid in the plant.

When mulching leaves, you can save cost and time if leaves that fall on hedges, flowerbeds and paths are blown onto the open grass areas where a ride-on mower with a mulching unit can chop them up.

Keep in mind that mulching cannot altogether replace the traditional collection of leaves. Therefore, it’s a good idea to collect the remaining leaves after the last mowing of the season, when the ground temperature is below 6 degrees Celsius and the grass has stopped growing. Otherwise the risk of problems like fungal attacks increases during the winter.