Keep mulching blades sharp

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Question: Recently, you said it was important to keep blades sharp on a mulching mower. Why?

Mulching mowers, also called recycling mowers, differ from the old traditional mower by having a double blade that cuts the grass instead of a single blade and a deck or housing surrounding the blade that has been redesigned to create more lift.

The mulching mower blade must cut the clippings several times before these clippings fall to the soil between the grass plants and decompose. When the mower blade makes the first cut, the clippings are elevated into the housing of the mower and suspended for a time. While these clippings are suspended, the blade spins numerous times.

Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at morrisr@UNCE.unr.edu.