You don't need to buy expensive mulch — you probably already have everything you need to protect your flower beds right in your own backyard.
A hot new hack shows you how grass offcuts from your lawn mowing turn into the perfect natural mulch that's both money-saving and good for the planet.
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Gardening influencer Dirt and Wine Mom (@dirtandwinemom) recently posted a TikTok video showing how to use fresh lawn clippings as mulch for raised garden beds.
@dirtandwinemom This is my favorite mulch other than wood chips! It's amazing! #mowing #grass #mulch #fertilizer #yard #gardening #spring #mowing #SmellLikeIrishSpring #2022 ♬ original sound – Dirt and Wine Mom
“Grass clippings are like fertilizer for the soil. They're also great for composting,” she explains in the video.
Once she's done mowing, she scatters the grass clippings directly on top of the soil in her flower beds. “This protects the soil from the sun, helps retain moisture in the flower beds when you water them, and helps keep weeds down.”
“I've been doing this for years and my dad taught me,” Dirt and Wine Mom wrote in a follow-up comment. “It's worked for me both fresh and dried. This grass doesn't grow in my flower beds.”
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Using grass clippings as mulch offers numerous benefits to your wallet, your plants, and the planet.
You'll save money by not buying commercial mulch. Grass clippings act as a protective layer, protecting the soil from sunlight and retaining moisture. They also suppress weed growth, so you'll spend less time weeding.
As grass decomposes, it releases nutrients into the soil and acts as a natural fertilizer to nourish your plants. Plus, instead of being dumped in a landfill, the grass clippings are reused as compost. Recycling this organic “waste” at home helps reduce your carbon footprint.
What people are saying
This mulching after mowing trick has been praised by other gardening enthusiasts on TikTok, with many pointing out additional benefits.
“It's a great way to retain moisture and encourage microbial activity, but be sure to dry your lawn clippings before storing them,” one person wrote.
Others share how they've applied this method: “When I was in New England I did this a lot. Now I'm in Florida and I use wood chips and they're 10 times more effective than mulching. I spread wood chips 4 times a year.”
The general consensus? People love this simple, affordable way to nourish their garden while being environmentally conscious. “I love using grass clippings as mulch.”
So grab your grass clippings and get to work on your flower beds. You'll save money, your plants will thrive, and your mental and physical health will improve. It's a win-win!
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