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You’ve endured the sight of brown grass all winter long, and you’re probably eager to see your lush lawn return this spring. Start the season on the right foot by giving your lawn a fresh start with a good scalping.
What is Lawn Scalping?
Lawn scalping (or grass scalping) is the process of cutting your grass significantly low so that the stems of your grass are exposed. This practice removes any build-up from the winter and exposes your soil to sunlight, stimulating grass growth. However, scalping done incorrectly can harm your lawn. Below, we’ve outlined the key dos and don’ts to ensure your lawn thrives.
How to Scalp Your Lawn
Do:
• Drop your mower cutting height down to ½ – 1 inch and begin mowing.
• Remove all old, dead plant material to allow for optimal grass growth.
• Contact us for additional lawn mowing tips and professional advice.
Don’t:
• Bag the removed material and send it to a landfill. Instead, use the debris in your compost pile or send it to a city or commercial compost site.
• Overdo scalping on lawns with heavy thatch—especially St. Augustine grass. If the active stolons (runners) are in the upper portion of the thatch, scalping may cause severe damage, leading to turf injury or even plant death.
When to Scalp Your Lawn
Don’t:
• Scalp too early. Exposing plant parts like stolons and crowns to frost or extremely low temperatures can cause damage. Scalping late, when the grass is actively growing, may stress and shock the grass, slowing its recovery.
Do:
• Scalp your lawn in early spring before growth begins in earnest. This timing prevents stress and promotes a quick, healthy recovery.
Take your spring green-up a step further with our year-round lawn care treatments. From fertilizing services, tree and shrub care, soil testing, to insect management, we do it all. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your lawn stay lush and vibrant!
