Leave grass clippings on the ground, instead of bagging and disposing of them. This can save on the number of bags being used to dispose of grass clippings, as well as, chemical fertilizers being used.
"The average home with 4,000 square feet of lawn can reduce
fertilizer requirements by 25%, or about 3 lbs. per year, by leaving
grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. It takes more than a gallon
of diesel fuel to make 3 lbs. of fertilizer. If home owners
"grass-cycled" and reduced their fertilizer use by just 25%, it would
save 1.3 billion pounds of chemical fertilizers and more diesel fuel
than Amtrak uses in six years." The Green Book
By using less fertilizer, you are also reducing the amount of chemicals in the ground that can end up in ground water, lakes, oceans and rivers. It is also much safer for kids and pets, if you avoid the chemical fertilizers. When you "grass-cycle", the grass clippings decompose quickly and release nutrients into the yard. Leaving the grass clippings on the ground also reduces the lawn's water loss, thus reducing the need to water and fertilize your lawn. For best results, the grass should be cut when it's completely dry, and on the longer side, so short and dry grass clippings are produced.
