Expert: Greg - 5/20/2007

Question
Hi, I saw your answer to the question about 'smelly grass' but I LIKE bagging my grass clippings - I think it prevents weeds and looks better.  But the smell is horrible!  Is there any 'trick' to keeping it from smelling besides turning it? Is there anything I can keep in the receptacle to absorb the smell?

Answer
Hello Kathleen

Well 1st of all I will not tell you how to do your Lawn and what works best for you.

Mulching Mowers will take what you now think of Grass Clipping and make them significantly smaller. These mowers have dual blades which chop the grass clipping many times before they return them into the Lawn. To dispel your thought that Clippings some how promote weeds is not the case at all. Mulching mowers will not leave that traditional grassy look to the Lawn after it is mowed. If you Mulch your Grass Clippings you can omit 1 Fertilizer treatment per Year, and you can save valuable Landfill space. Grass Clippings do not promote thatch either, that is another subject in itself.

There is nothing that I know of that can deter, or prevent that "Grassy Smell" from a Pile of Grass, or what is left over in the Mower Bag. It is Nitrogen without any air circulation to it, it needs a Carbon balance that can only be achieved through Composting.

I hope this helps, but if I have missed something I would be more than happy to answer a more specific question.

The best of luck
   Greg