What is Lawn Scalping? How and When to Do It?

Lawn scalping is a lawn maintenance technique, but some myths have made it notorious. It is actually beneficial for your lawn. But only if you have done it at the right time and followed the correct way.

This article is all about Lawn Scalping. We will explain what it is and what it does to your lawn. We will also discuss its benefits and disadvantages. Along with that, we will cover when to scalp your lawn, how to do it the right way, and common mistakes you should avoid.

What Does Lawn Scalping Mean?

Lawn scalping is a lawn maintenance technique that improves grass health and promotes active growth.

It’s nothing but mowing, but at the lowest possible mower setting, which is usually 0.5 to 1 inch. Thus, it’s like hard mowing and removing most of the grass blades.

When you do lawn scalping, you don’t follow the one-third rule. You just get rid of the old grass blades to invite new growth.

But keep in mind that you can’t scalp year-round; there is a specific time to do it right. But before we dive into that, let’s discuss the benefits and shortcomings.

Why Scalping is Needed? The Benefits

Lawn Cleaning

When your lawn has gone through winter dormancy, it has some dead grass and debris that could affect the grass’s health and growth.

Scalping is needed to revive the grass. It removes the dead grass from the top and lets the new grass grow. It creates the environment that the new grass needs.

Faster & Healthier Growth

When you remove dead grass from the top, you expose the lower part to the sun. Thus, the grass gets enough light to produce its food. It can grow faster and turn your lawn green again.

It’s a natural way to make your lawn healthy and green without using chemical fertilizers. As the sunlight reaches the bottom part of the grass, it enhances growth and makes the grass thicker and healthier.

Thatch Control

Scalping removes that layer of organic matter, which can increase the amount of thatch if mixed in the soil.

If you don’t do scalping, it will thicken the thatch layer and block the nutrients, water, and oxygen from reaching the roots. And in the end, you need to do dethatching to revive your lawn.

Improved Fertilizer Absorption

Through scalping, you uncover the soil. It creates a better contact with the fertilizer you apply. Thus, the fertilizer penetrates deeper and improves absorption. It gives your grass essential nutrients so that it can grow quickly.

Disease Prevention

If you let the dead grass stay on your lawn, it poses a risk of fungal diseases.

The dead grass does not allow sunlight to reach the soil, which creates a damp environment favorable for pests and fungal diseases.

Lawn scalping improves air flow and reduces excess humidity. It allows the soil to dry out easily, which ensures the lawn doesn’t stay damp for a long time.

Weed Cleaning

It helps in getting rid of the existing weeds near the surface and also prevents them from emerging. It removes weeds along with dead grass. It also exposes soil, so when you apply a pre-emergent herbicide, it will be more effective.

Soil Leveling

With scalping, you also level out the surface. Cutting too much helps in leveling the bumps and divots and giving you a perfectly plain lawn to maintain year-round.

It also prepares the lawn for overseeding. The seeds can easily reach the soil and ensure better germination.

The Disadvantages of Lawn Scalping

Time Sensitive

Lawn scalping is extremely time sensitive. You cannot do it at any time you want.

If you do it too early, it will expose the lawn to frost damage. And if you do it too late, you will stress the grass. It is necessary to do it at the right time.

Not for Every Grass Type

Scalping is not for every grass type. It’s not recommended for cool-season grasses, such as Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass.

Secondly, it works well for warm-season grasses but not for every variety. If you have planted Centipede or Buffalo grass, you should avoid scalping.

Labor Intensive

It’s a labor-intensive job. Pushing a reel mower requires a lot of time and effort. You might get tired and suffer from fatigue.

A power reel mower is easier, but you have to rent or buy one. Renting is suitable as it is not a good option for regular mowing.

Lots of Debris

After scalping, your job is not over. You also need to clean the lawn. Scalping produces a lot of debris. You have to rake and bag everything. You might need to fill more than a dozen bags from a medium lawn.

When to Do Lawn Scalping

We know lawn scalping has to be done at the right time to enjoy its benefits. But the question is, when is the right time?

You have to scalp your lawn when the grass is in the last phase of its winter dormancy and is soon to enter the growing stage. The typical time is February through March, depending on the region you live in.

It is necessary to make sure there is no spring freeze ahead. Otherwise, it will adversely affect your lawn. When you try to scalp icy grass, you end up damaging the grass blades and roots.

Once the grass is cool and dry, you can get started. The easiest way is to look for the green grass. When your lawn is 10-15% green, you can start scalping. Along with that, you should also check the soil temperature. When the soil temperature reaches 55⁰F to 60⁰F, it is the time for warm-season grasses to begin their growth. It is the perfect time for scalping.

You also need to make sure the grass is dry. It is not recommended to cut wet grass, and if the lawn is too damp and muddy, it will end up compacting the soil. Learn how to tell if the grass is dry enough to cut.

Always check the real-time weather forecast to know if there is spring frost ahead and know the right time for scalping. It gives you an idea of the soil temperature in the region.

Keep in mind that the growth of grass differs according to the region. In some areas, grass starts to grow in late February. While in some areas, you have to wait till the end of March. Thus, you have to decide the right time based on your region.

Lawn scalping is also preferred if you are renovating your lawn. You can scalp hard and remove grass blades. It will prepare the lawn for new seeds and welcome new grass.

When Not to Scalp Your Lawn

Scalping is done in late winter to early spring. If your lawn has become more than 50%, it is better not to do scalping.

Your lawn has entered the active growing phase, and if you scalp at this time, your grass will suffer from extreme stress. Scalping at this stage means cutting the grass’s energy reserve and letting it starve.

Secondly, you should never mow in summer. Scalping exposes the lawn’s soil, and the temperature in summer is too high. It will accelerate the evaporation and deprive your soil of water. You will end up with dead patches in your lawn.

If the temperature in the upcoming days is expected to drop below 28⁰F, you should not think about scalping. It is dangerous for your lawn.

Moreover, when your lawn is already suffering from a disease, you should treat it first before doing scalping. Your lawn must recover from that to get ready to handle the scalping stress.

Last but not least is when you have cool-season grasses. Do not scalp cool-season grass, as they do not do well after that. They might die due to scalping.

How to Do Lawn Scalping?

Now, here comes the most important part. If you have found the right time to scalp and are ready to go, you must do it right. Here’s how.

Step 1: Prepare

Before you get started, you must prepare your lawn. Clear the lawn area and remove sticks, stones, leaves, toys, or any other foreign objects. You can even rake your lawn lightly.

Ensure your lawnmower has sharp blades. If the blades are dull, check out how to sharpen lawn mower blades.

Your lawn soil should not have excessive thatch. If there is any, it is better to do dethatching. Otherwise, you won’t get good results in the coming season.

Your lawn might also need aeration. However, you cannot do it at this stage. You have to wait for the grass to start growing actively.

Before scalping, you should also ensure your safety. Wear a mask to avoid dust and debris. Wear gloves, boots, and eye protection.

Step 2: Run the Mower

It’s difficult to scalp your lawn in one go. It’s better to mow it at the usual height. It will shorten the grass and make scalping easier.

If you have a bag, you can attach it. It will help bag the dead grass and save you a lot of time.

Once the height of grass blades is short, you can start scalping. Set the mower to the lowest height and give it a go. Complete the first pass. After that, scalp the lawn again, but in the opposite direction.

Step 3: Clean the Lawn

Scalping leaves a lot of debris, and it’s time to clean everything. You cannot leave on your lawn like regular mulch.

If you didn’t attach the bag while scalping, you have to rake everything manually later. Rake your whole lawn and bag the debris.

Step 4: Take Extra Care

After scalping, you have to take care of the lawn. It’s the best time to apply fertilizer as discussed in our lawn care calendar. It will provide your lawn with the essential nutrients and enhance its growth.

You also need to take care of watering. Water your lawn deeply and let the soil settle down. Learn how long to water grass. Finally, apply a pre-emergent to prevent weeds from sprouting. There are higher chances of quick weed growth as there is no grass to suppress them.

After some time, your grass will grow, and you will have to switch to regular mowing. Maintaining the optimal grass height is important to ensure its health.

The best way to maintain your lawn is to get a robotic lawn mower. It automates lawn mowing. You only have to set the schedule and the desired mowing height. And it mows the grass automatically.

Common Mistakes While Doing Lawn Scalping

Scalping Cool-season Grass

Scalping is not for cool-season grasses. If you scalp them, you will end up cutting their energy reserves. And they will not be able to recover. Figure out if it is a warm or cool-season grass before scalping. Learn more about cool-season grass vs warm-season grass.

Scalping Wet Soil

Never scalp wet soil. If it is too wet, the weight of the mower will compact the soil. It will block the pores and prevent the grass from accessing nutrients, water, and oxygen. Wait until the grass is dry enough, and then start scalping.

Leaving the Debris

People often think that the debris of the lawn will serve as fertilizer. But the debris of scalping is actually dead grass. It’s of no use.

Instead, it will badly affect your lawn. It’s dry organic matter that will enhance the thatch layer and block water, nutrients, and air from reaching roots. It will even prevent sunlight from reaching the soil.

Using Dull Mower Blades

Dull mower blades are actually bad for your lawn. They do not cut the grass. Instead, they tear the grass tips. Then, the grass becomes prone to lawn diseases.

You can sharpen the lawn blade. And if you see gouges and dents, it is better to replace the blade. Check out how often to change lawn mower blades.

Scalping Too Late

We have already discussed that scalping has a very thin window. If you scalp too late when the lawn has picked up a good growth pace, you will end up disturbing the cycle. The grass has worked to make energy and revive from winter dormancy, and if you scalp now, it will stress it. And the grass might not be able to recover.

FAQs

Is scalping good for your lawn?

Yes, scalping is good for your lawn if you have warm-season grass and you do it at the right time. It will improve your lawn’s growth and make it green faster. It also improves fertilizer absorption, reduces weeds, controls thatch, and prevents diseases.

Can a lawn recover from scalping?

Yes, a lawn can recover from scalping if you have done it at the right time. The grass will recover on its own, but you can add fertilizer to make it faster. You just need to take care of the lawn by providing it with enough water and using pre-emergent.

What month should I scalp my lawn?

You can scalp from February to March. But the sweet spot depends on the region you live in. You can scalp when your lawn is 10-15% green, and the soil temperature is 55⁰F to 60⁰F.

Does scalping remove weeds?

Yes, scalping removes existing weeds. It will cut them too short. And now, it is the best time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent their growth.

Should I water my lawn after scalping?

Yes, you should water your lawn after scalping. It helps the grass recover quickly. You should do deep watering, around 1 inch.