Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and mulching lawns includes a shallow substantially cylindrical housing having an open bottom and adapted, in use, to have its axis perpendicular to a lawn to be cut; a blade, mounted within the housing to rotate about an axis co-axial with that of the housing, the blade extending radially from the axis and rotating in a plane near the bottom of the housing; a grass exit chute communicating with the inside of the housing; a source of rotational power in the form of an electric motor for rotating the blade; means for changing the direction of rotation of the blade; and means for allowing cut grass within the housing to pass out of the housing into the chute when the blade is rotating in a first direction and to prevent cut grass in the housing from entering the chute when the blade is rotating in a second direction.