Cutting Grass Using Push Mower, Leaving Clippings and HOA

[no kudzu]

we used to bag our clippings and then add to compost pile or just use them as mulch. I did not like the color of the dead grass pile and it seemed to attract insects and boy is it difficult to take that bag thingie off the back of a john deere mower-riding. So then even tho I've always been told to leave clippings on the lawn, I started doing that. Cut down on time and labor to cut the yard(1.5 acre) and never saw any build up on lawn. The 1.5 acre was centipede and now we are in new house with fescue. I love fescue cause creeping grasses do just that---they creep into beds and everywhere. I say do everybody a favor and leave clippings on the lawn.

[Shagbark Hickory]

The thing with reel mowers is this...
You can't really cut off much at a time. You have to cut more frequently so that the grass blades come in contact with the bed knife. IF you try to cut off like an inch at a time with a manual human powered reel mower you will not be able to do it very easily. So the clippings will be small and should not create much of a mess.
If your HOA is that anal then get a leaf blower. OR get a grass catcher which are available for many reel mowers.

I didn't read page 2 of replies but the OP didn't say anything about a reel mower. They said "push mower" which is a term often used for gas powered rotary mowers that aren't self-propelled.

[texdav]

I can remmebr using a rell mower. But the thing most people don't know is that you need to keep the blades evry sharp. There are sharpener for these type mowers. Deffiently not a good thin g letting the baldes bet dull because theyare then very hard to sharpen on teh mower without removal.Since they don't have the speed of power mowers its very thing really for a good cut.