using fresh grass clippings as a mulch

Fresh grass clippings will use nitrogen in the soil so that the plants do not get the amount that they need. If you pile it thick enough (after it goes brown) then it will not be easy for the weeds to get started and those that do start growing will be easy to pick before their roots get into the soil. Or you could put cardboard, newspaper or something else down before you put the grass clipping.

I use fresh grass clippings as mulch in my garden and all my flowerbeds with great success. No weeds, moisture is kept in the soil where the plants need it and it slowly breaks down for food for the plants it is around. I also use a mulching mower when I don't need the clippings so they break down and provide natural fertilizer for my lawn. I haven't used chemical fertilizer in over 7yrs and have a lush lawn and tons of fruit and veges every year. Now, I tried using grass hay and wheat straw that someone gave me several years ago as mulch and never again. I had more weeds to dig/pull than I could count. That summer was my worst gardening nitemare ever.

Grass clippings will contribute weed seeds. Be careful purchasing mulch..many such as Cypress mulch contain grass seed and may create a biggger problem. Try using a conventional hoe after you lightly water the soil to easily remove the weeds without harming the strawberries.

Grass clippings will contribute weed seeds. Be careful purchasing mulch..many such as Cypress mulch contain grass seed and may create a biggger problem. Try using a conventional hoe after you lightly water the soil to easily remove the weeds without harming the strawberries.

Here is a trick I got from my Father-in-law. We have so many trees that we can't compost it all, so I place the leaves around trees and in my garden. Then in Spring I remove the excess and it not only keeps the weeds down, it decomposes, leaving nutrients.