Rake the cut grass or let it lie?

Question

I live in the country, central Virginia. I let my lawn go about 6 weeks without cutting it... The grass and weeds were high, to put it mildly. Why didn't I cut it? Laziness, honestly. It's hot!

I cut it today, with a push mower. I used a clippings bag at first, but I couldn't go 15 feet without having to stop the mower and empty the bag. So I removed the bag and let the cut grass fly out the side exhaust. Now I have... So much cut grass over the lawn that you can't see the lawn any more.

My question is (laziness again), can I just leave it and not rake? Or will clumps form, choke out the grass underneath, and create a "patchy" lawn? And if so, is that such a disaster? All suggestions appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

if you have a good mower it will mulch the grass into small pieces which you should leave b/c they are filled with the vitamins your lawn need

Answer 2

If you already have clumps, then they will cause the grass underneath to yellow, but the grass will not clump on its own without help from you.  If you can get by without raking, it is better for the lawn as the grass will compost into the yard, fertilizing it naturally.  

I believe in working hard, but I don't believe in doing unnecessary labor.  Only you know truly how thick the grass is.  If light cannot get through the cut grass, you have a problem, but if it can, the grass underneath will not be killed.  It takes a really heavy load of mulch (cut grass) left for a really long time to kill it.  

Again, you have to decide how much patchiness you can tolerate.  I live way out in the country, and who cares if there is a patch.  But when I lived in the city, I cared because the neighbors cared.

Answer 3

I suggest you get out there and start raking because yes it will choke out any new growth and yes you will wind up with dead patches of grass where it lays. So I suggest if you want a decent looking lawn do this extra step.

Answer 4

well letting the grass grow that long might have let it seed on top which is a good thing.. but if you leave the clumps in your yard the new seed wont reach the dirt through the clippings you left.. and it will also kill the grass underneath... so you really need to get out there and rake up the slipping. sorry...

Answer 5

As long as it is not too thick, then let it lie. It creates mulch which is good for the lawn. My suggestion is to cut the grass more often. I am lazy too, but c'mon if you want the lawn then you have to do a little work. Good luck.

Answer 6

put the bag back on and go over it again... it will vac up most of it.....

Answer 7

If you don't cut it any more often than you do then I'm surprised that you would care if it caused patches.  That is just an "appearance" thing.  If I were you I'd leave it.  Raking is alot more work that cutting.  Picky people with super gorgeous lawns leave their clippings because 1)  They cut it so often that they don't get clumps.  2)  The clipping are nearly !00% nitrogen witch supplies the grass with it's rich green color.  3) They're rich and pay somebody else to do it anyway!  They clumps will definately cause damage.  Which do you want more?  To do the work and have a pretty lawn?  To do just enough work to keep code enforcement away?  It's all up to you.