Now is the Time to Scalp your Lawn

You may have already done this, and if so I applaud you. If not, it’s not too late. Scalping your lawn can make a big difference in how quickly your lawn greens up. It also helps remove thatch and create a healthier environment for your lawn.

How to do it?

If you’ve never done this before, it’s pretty simple.

1. Start by lowering the deck of your lawn mower about 2 levels down from the last mowing height.
2. Mow your lawn.
3. After you’ve gone over it the first time, lower the deck another 2 levels.
4. Mow your lawn again
5. Repeat until you mow your lawn on the lowest setting.

A lot of people ask me whether they should bag the clippings or not. My answer is yes. When you are scalping your lawn, it is great if you can bag and remove those clippings. If you can’t, that’s okay too, but if you have the capability to remove those clippings, I would.

What is Thatch?

Thatch is the dead grass clippings that are sitting on top of the ground, but below the grass. In most cases the thatch will decompose and create a healthy layer of soil, but when it gets too thick it can make it hard for water, air and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass. When that happens you will see the grass start to decline in health or you may even see some brown patches in your lawn. I like to start each year out fresh by scalping the lawn and getting rid of as much thatch as possible. Once you’ve scalped your lawn, I wouldn’t recommend bagging the clippings any more as long as you aren’t letting your grass get too tall between mowings.