Grass cuttings are one of the most under-used resources in the garden. Don't bag them and put them in the bin, or pile them in a heap in the corner of the garden where they turn into a slimy mush. Leave them on the lawn and the worms will bring them back down into the soil in a few days. Or let them lie for a day to dry, rake them up and use them as a moisture-retaining mulch to cover spots of bare soil under shrubs or in the vegetable garden. Be sure to water the soil well beforehand. Slugs and snails dislike the scratchy texture of dried grass clippings, and will be somewhat deterred from helping themselves to lettuces and other vulnerable plants. Meanwhile, in the compost heap, freshly-cut grass acts as a wonderful activator: it breaks down quickly and is rich in nitrogen. Mix it evenly through your other compostable material when you are building the heap.