Why We Don’t Bag Grass — And Why You Shouldn’t Either

At Fresh Cut Pros, we don’t bag grass clippings during routine lawn mowing — and unless you’ve got a specific reason, you shouldn’t either.

When we mow your lawn in Shorewood, Joliet, Plainfield, Minooka, or Channahon, we’re doing more than just keeping it short. We’re feeding it. Those clippings? They’re loaded with nitrogen and moisture — two things your lawn already needs to grow.

Mulching grass clippings (not raking or bagging them) helps return organic matter to the soil, which improves its health and texture over time. It also keeps your lawn from drying out as quickly, reduces the need for fertilizer, and saves you money in disposal costs or yard waste bags.

The myth that clippings cause thatch buildup is outdated. Thatch comes from dead roots and stems, not clippings — especially when we’re mowing weekly and not letting the grass get too long between cuts.

But When Should You Bag?

There are a few scenarios where we do recommend bagging grass clippings:

• If the lawn hasn’t been mowed in 3+ weeks and we’re cutting more than ⅓ of the blade

• If you’re dealing with a lawn fungus like red thread or leaf spot — removing infected clippings can help prevent spread

• During a spring or fall cleanup when we’re removing excess debris anyway

Otherwise, stick with mulching your clippings and mowing tall — especially in summer — to keep your lawn thick, green, and resilient without wasting nutrients.