Grass Clippings

Grass clippings from residential lawns have frequently been cited as a significant source of nutrients and organic matter transported to receiving waters from residential developments. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many residential homeowners blow grass clippings into city streets during normal lawn mowing operations. However, data showing the magnitude of this source of loading to receiving waters is lacking. From 2002 to 2006, the frequency, quantity and nutrient content of grass clippings blown into streets during mowing operations in six typical residential neighborhoods in Plymouth and Maple Grove, Minnesota was measured.