Grass clipings, etc.

[MVD]

I live in northeastern Illinois. So if I was to put the bagger on my lawn mower this time of year I would end up with a mix of grass clippings and ground up leaves and twigs. I have some bare spots in a few areas planted with small hostas and geraniums. Would it be beneficial for me to collect the grass clippings/leaf mix and either spread on top of or spade it into this bare areas? Usually I just set the mower to "mulch" and just let the remnants lay where they fall, but I thought this might be beneficial. Thanks for your advice.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

That's great stuff for the purpose you mentioned. If the soil's loose enough, you really don't have to spade it in. Use a straight rake to blend it with the top 2-4" of soil.

[Jangchub]

Super duper fabulistic! Really, that's excellent mulch. Don't pack it down and about twice during the winter make sure it is not matted down by fluffing it with a gentle rake.

[sherwindu]

I do the same, and even collect grass/leave clippings from my neighbors. However, I put them into a mulch pile for one year. Putting the leaves/grass directly on the beds could be messy and there may be some issues of the mix pulling nitrogen from the ground as it decomposes.

Sherw> I live in northeastern Illinois. So if I was to put the bagger on my

[MVD]

The ground here is pretty heavy clay. So based on what you said I think I'll try to spade it into the top 4-6" of soil.

[William Wagner]

Look into adding sand.

Bill

[JoeSpareBedroom]

There's also something else that'll help with clay. Gypsum, I think, but someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. A friend of mine used it and it worked wonders.

[Phisherman]

Compost, tilled into the soil will help clay soil.