October 10, 2024, 10:55 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Out of habit, many amateur gardeners put damp grass cuttings directly on the compost heap. However, this does not make sense. Read here to find out why this is the case and how grass clippings can be turned into nutrient-rich compost.
Composting is a practical thing: the clippings are recycled, you save on disposal and you also get valuable organic fertilizer. However, it is not a good idea to put the grass cuttings directly onto the compost heap after mowing. Otherwise, in the worst-case scenario, the entire compost may no longer be usable.
Do not compost damp grass clippings straight away
If you are left with grass clippings after mowing, you should not rake them up straight away and throw them on the compost heap. Instead, it should be left to dry for a few days. The same applies to lawnmowers with a collection container. Here, too, you should spread out the clippings and leave them to dry in the sun.
Background: Damp grass clippings in the compost can rot and ferment and, in the worst case, make the compost unusable. This is also indicated by an acrid odor caused by hydrogen sulfide and methane.
Tip: Dried grass cuttings are well suited as the top layer on the compost heap. Kitchen and garden waste goes underneath. You can find out how to build and fill a composter yourself here.
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Composting together with shrub cuttings
Wood chips or shavings can be composted together with grass cuttings. Chopped branches or twigs are suitable for this. The grass cuttings can also be moist, as the garden waste loosens up the compost and, unlike grass cuttings, contains little nitrogen. As a result, the materials complement each other and ensure good composting. It is best to take equal parts lawn and shrub cuttings and mix them well.
Tip: Since shrub cuttings are not automatically on hand after mowing the lawn, it’s worth saving them, for example, after trimming the hedge.