Resolve to leave the clippings on the lawn.

• Published December 26, 2012 Modified December 25, 2012

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I n our cool climate, leaving the grass clippings to decay on the lawn will help improve the water-holding capacity of the soil by adding organic matter and also nitrogen by returning green material to the soil. The trick is you must mow more often and choose a mulching mower so that the clippings are tiny enough to slip between the blades of grass. Mowing your lawn every 7 days during the growing season fits in nicely with the most popular of all New Year’s resolution: The vow to lose weight and get more exercise.

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