What to do with grass clippings.

[Superflyer]

So I just finished cutting my grass and I have 4 garbage bags of clippings and I am wondering what I can do with them. I usually just throw them out but for some reason today it clicked in that they may be useful somewhere with composting or some other thing. So if anyone has any ideas on what I can do with them I would like to hear I just have a fealing that I can put them to good use, must be the Al Gore in me.

[pepper24]

I leave mine on my grass.....they work great for mulching and avoid unwanted waste in our landfills.

[HalifaxDrunk]

If you are having a Canada Day neighborhood picnic tomorrow, you bring the salad!

[Top Shelf]

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Seems like such a waste to throw it out every week. Thought about composting it myself, but that only solves the problem for 2 lawn cuttings, as I don't think the composter could hold much more then that.

As for leaving it on the grass, the kid plays out there so much, it is a pain to have her come in covered in old grass.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Seems like such a waste to throw it out every week. Thought about composting it myself, but that only solves the problem for 2 lawn cuttings, as I don't think the composter could hold much more then that.

As for leaving it on the grass, the kid plays out there so much, it is a pain to have her come in covered in old grass.

I don't get it. I've always mulched and there is no "old grass" around. Maybe you need a mulching mower or, if you have one, a real one. Mulching is the way to go.

[MelBridgeman]

dump the grass somewhere, get a few litres of gasoline and burn it....

[Metro Gnome]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

dump the grass somewhere, get a few litres of gasoline and burn it....

[Devils'Advocate]

If you are planning on composting it, the best thing to do is find someplace to spread it around and let it dry for a week or two. Once it has dried and yellowed, it acts as a dry reagent in the composter and will reduce the smell of the wet stuff thrown in. I unfortunately have no decent spot to let the grass lay, so I mulch mine and leave it in the yard.... but that means I have to shred newspaper to balance the composter.

[pope04]

I've got a relatively small yard, so I don't generate the clippings some people do so oversupply isn't an issue. Devils'Advocate has a good suggestion, and I'd like to add this: Try to layer the "green" and "brown" clippings, and you'll be amazed at how quickly they break down. Keep the compost wet - I believe the rule of thumb is to keep it the consistency of a wrung out sponge - and turn it once a week or so. I believe Lee Valley has a tool that you can stab into the compost pile and when you pull it out, two wings stick out to help stir the pot.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

dump the grass somewhere, get a few litres of gasoline and burn it....

Easy there, man. With the price of fuel these days one can never be certain that everybody has the credit to afford to do that..

[millhouse11]

Cochrane recycling depot takes grass clippings.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I picked up one of those $25 composters as mentioned in this thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=59494

But you can actually pick these up from the Eco Store downtown at this price at any time I believe. I stuck in 3 bags of grass clippings, and yeah, on that first day it filled up to about half-way, but then after watering it down and leaving it for a few days, it shrunk a HUGE amount, like maybe down to 1/3, and still going. I wouldn't be too worried about not having space in a composter for it. And if it really was a problem, you could always buy 2

And as mentioned above, you can always just mulch it down.

[Cheese]

TIPS ON COMPOSTING GRASS: It is encouraged that you leave the grass clippings on your lawn to return nutrients to the soil. If you wish to compost grass however, do not add too many grass clippings to your compost at one time. They tend to mat and become smelly. It is suggested that you; Add them in thin layers. Allow them to dry in the sun before adding them. Mix them with dry materials such as leaves.

I have a large wooden bin I toss my leaves and "green" compost in. I also have 2 composter bins that I layer my compost with stuff from house like fruit peelings, waste veggies etc, then the layer of leaves etc from the wooden bin. I get at least 4 or 5 full bins of fully composted material a year from each bin.
I own a mulching mower...helps feed the grass and it looks excellent.
Here in Waterloo they give away free composters to every home once a year.

[Shazam]

There's a compost accelerator product available that allows you compost the clippings right in the bag. It's available at Walmart, in a plastic container with a farmer on front.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by millhouse11

Cochrane recycling depot takes grass clippings.

Okotoks has a recycling drop off for grass clippings as well. Best idea ever.