Expert: Greg - 7/29/2007

Question
I have a field of some 3 acres.   I mow this myself and a you can imagine I get large quantities of grass cuttings. Is it possible to treat these cuttings in any way where they may become useful for either compost or even infill or whatever

Answer
Hello Terence

3 Acres of Grass..is a LOT of Grass Clippings.

With that in Mind, you will have to pay attention to adding the right amount of Carbon to make sure it doesn't smell.


If you have an area when you can do this, that is out of the way of not only you, but your neighbors smell range, this is the spot that you should choose.

Wood Chips, Leaves or any other High Carbon mix should be added to any pile of grass that you have. Mix it very well, and keep it watered, not soaking, just damp like a wet sponge. Do not..and I repeat DO NOT..just let the grass sit in a pile, the smell is disgusting. You want an Ideal Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of about 25-1, so don't skimp on the Leaves and wood chips.

You could try a small amount at first to get a feel for what you are doing, then expand as you get better at this.

The End product, you could use for whatever you wish.

If I have missed something here, don't hesitate to follow-up with another question, some times it take a few of these to get it right.


The Best of Luck
   Greg