![]() Like grass clippings, compost can also be applied to the top of fruit trees’ soil in 1-2 inch amounts (just make sure not to apply it more than once every few months and that the compost doesn’t touch the trunk). If you find that weeds are growing, then consider composting the grass clippings first to kill the seeds and weeds. Fortunately, providing a 1-2 inch layer of grass should smother out most, if not all weed growth. This means weeds can grow at the base of your fruit trees and compete with them. There are also times when the grass clippings contain seeds or other weeds in them. By adding grass clippings from these lawns, the chemicals can quickly build up in the soil and kill the fruit trees (as well as other plants). To see which pH meter I recommend, you can check out my recommended tools page.Īside from pH, many lawns are treated with herbicides and pesticides. ![]() If the soil pH is outside of the preferred range of the fruit tree, it will have a hard time absorbing nutrients from the soil and will slowly die off (keep in mind that soil pH is constantly changing, so the pH of grass clippings will also change as they decompose).įor an easy way to measure pH in soil, consider using a pH meter. ![]() Since most fruit trees prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of 6.0-7.0, adding too many grass clippings can be harmful to fruit trees. Using wet grass clippings can introduce mold and rot, which can increase the chance fruit trees develop a disease.Īdditionally, grass clippings have a pH of 8.5, so they’re pretty alkaline. These chemicals can add up in the soil and kill the fruit trees over time. Grass clippings can damage fruit trees if they’re applied when wet or have pesticides or herbicides. You can even further reduce your weeding efforts by planting companion plants around your fruit trees.īut while grass clippings can clearly benefit fruit trees in several ways, can they also cause them harm? Can Grass Clippings Hurt Fruit Trees? Grass clippings can also smother weed growth, meaning you won’t need to weed as often (less work for you!). Research shows that every 1% increase in soil richness can result in the soil holding 20,000 more water per acre. Not only that but with the increases in nutrients and soil richness, even more water is retained. ![]() The worms and bacteria in the soil help breakdown these nutrients even further, which the fruit tree’s roots can then use.Ī good layer of grass clippings can also help the soil retain water as it prevents some evaporation in the ground and blocks the hot sun from drying it out. This helps build soil health, which invites beneficial organisms such as earthworms and soil microbes. Since grass clippings are already fairly thin and small, they can break down rather quickly and provide quality nutrients to the soil. The NPK of grass is 4-2-1, and since fruit trees commonly need high amounts of nitrogen to thrive (especially citrus trees), it makes a great mulch for them. Grass clippings have good levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (the three main nutrients plants need, also called NPK). Grass clippings have a high amount of nitrogen, which many fruit trees need to grow and develop fruit properly. Using grass clippings as a mulch for fruit trees helps fix the soil by adding nutrients and moisture, and reducing the number of pests. Need help? I’m offering a free 30-minute permaculture consultation for a limited time. So, while grass clippings are good for fruit trees, what exactly do they do to help fruit trees and are there times when they can damage fruit trees? Grass clippings are best applied when they’re dry and in 1-2 inch layers. They also have an NPK of 4-2-1, which is a great fertilizer for fruit trees. Grass clippings are a good mulch for fruit trees as they prevent weed growth, help the soil retain water, and provide a slow breakdown of nutrients. Fortunately, there are ways to use grass clippings and keep those nutrients on your property! While grass clippings usually make a good mulch, let’s take a closer look to see if they’re good for fruit trees in particular. Unfortunately, grass clippings get thrown out and end up in landfills, which means lawns quickly lose nutrients and become barren. With all the nutrients from these lawns’ grass clippings, it can be extremely beneficial to recycle them back into the garden, such as using them as a mulch for fruit trees. Lawns are incredibly popular in the U.S., to the point that 81% of all Americans have one.
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