The age-old question...should I bag or mulch my grass clippings?
There really isn't any debate here...you should always mulch them. Clippings are nutrient rich, they are literally fertilizer for your lawn. Your lawn will be greener and healthier if you just let those clippings fall.
So why is it a question at all? A lot of people associate mulching with thatch buildup which can essentially suffocate your lawn. But grass clippings aren't what acually cause thatch build up. Thatch issues occur when soil lacks microbes that are essential for breaking down thatch.
There basically only two instances where bagging is preferred:
1) If your lawn is overgrown. First, shame on you for not mowing your lawn often enough, mow it every week! Lawn mowers have a hard time mulching overgrown grass, there is typically a lot of clumping and shredding. If that is happening, throw the bag on your mower or use a rake to remove clumps.
2) If your lawn has a fungus. St. Augustine is susceptible to a number of diseases, and bagging your clippings will help slow the spread in many cases. When dealing with disease, keep the bag on your mower until the disease is controlled.
Simple enough...let the clippings fall!
