I have recently noticed a number of homeowners cutting the grass in their lawns very short. In fact, they are scalping their grass. I know people are really busy and getting a lawn mowed is sometimes difficult to squeeze in. When you are short on time, it is tempting to cut it low so you have more time before the next mow. The problem is that cutting the grass may solve your short term issue, time, but it sets you up for more significant long-term issues. In order to have a healthy lawn and reduce reliance on chemicals and watering, keep you mower at the optimal height setting.
Why is Scalping Such a Problem?
Scalping your lawn is the enemy of a healthy lawn. A lawn thrives when it is maintained at a proper height helping it grow while remaining free from pests, weeds, and other impediments. Contrary to popular belief, a nice looking lawn does not require extensive effort and chemicals. Let’s look at 5 reasons to trim your grass to its ideal growing height.
#1 Clumps of Dead Grass are Unsightly
Dead grass looks unsightly as it browns on top of your grass. Moreover, as it lays on the live grass, it will suffocate and kill sections of your turf.
If you make clumps and want to avoid the unsightly piles of grass, you need to rake it up. Raking grass is time-consuming and exhausting. I would rather go to the gym. Besides the effort, raking also creates another issue: How do I dispose of it? If you don’t have room to compost, you will be bagging and dumping plastic and dead grass in a landfill. Besides, properly mowed grass naturally boosts the nutrient value of your soil as long as it is mulched and is allowed to compost slowly back into
#2 Bare Spots & Patches
The dying grass laying on top of your growing grass (#1) composts as it decays. Composting of dying grass combined with the sun’s rays generates significant heat which kills your green grass. Now, you will have dead patches in your lawn, or at the very least, stress on your sod.
These dead patches are fertile ground for weeds to grow and make great homes for pollinators. They are not, however, productive for the health of your lawn. As grass dies, weeds will take over and ruin the look of your lawn. Furthermore, getting rid of weeds requires pulling, which is back-breaking work, or herbicides, which harm the environment. Getting rid of weeds is always more difficult than preventing them in the first place.
Getting rid of weeds is always more difficult than preventing them. A properly cut lawn is the first barrier to weed development.
#3 Blades of Grass in Distress
When you cut your lawn short, you will notice a different color on the blades of your grass. It is not the dark green of a vibrant lawn. No, it will turn light green or even yellow. This is a clear indication of a lawn under duress. The plant has been cut too far back and now it is fighting for stability.
A lawn under stress may fail prey to a number of elements, including drought, heat, insects, or invasive species, like weeds. In order to fight these elements, a homeowner may resort to adding water, pesticides, and other chemicals to help the lawn thrive. Keeping the grass longer and in a healthy growing height will help the grass prevent these issues in the first place.
#4 Over Watering
If you cut your lawn too short, it is much more susceptible to heat and drought. To combat this, you may decide to water your lawn to keep it from dying. Watering opens you up to several avoidable problems. First, paying for the water and the sprinkler system. Second, spending your valuable time in the process. Third, you waste a limited resource and contribute to our 5th unintended consequence of scalping, run-off.
#5 Too Many Chemicals and Too Much Run-off
Chemicals usage is diminished or not required when you keep your grass healthier with longer blades of grass. The grass is better able to withstand drought, heat, and other stressors, like insects.
Using fewer chemicals does have a great benefit to the environment right around your home. Anything added to your lawn eventually ends up in the groundwater or storm drains and contaminates the water supply. I used to think that run-off was magically treated before it goes back into the water supply. That is simply not the case. Water from your lawn skips the treatment plants and directly empties into local streams, rivers, and lakes.
Avoid Scalping and Receive a Great Looking Lawn
All of these negatives are easily avoidable by cutting your grass at the proper length. A simple rule of thumb: Cut your grass high enough to avoid spitting out clumps of grass. If you see clumps of grass, raise your mower deck until the clumps disappear. You can also spot check your lawn as you mow. Does the cut grass have yellow blades? Am I finding weedy areas and dead patches? If you answer yes to these questions, raise your deck.
Next, change your mowing pattern every time you mow. Mowing in the different directions allows you to get a uniform cut and prevent the grass from continuously trying to grow in the same direction. The change also prevents ruts in your yard.
Finally, a sharp blade is a critical element for a well-cut lawn. If you are not sure the last time your blade was sharpened, it’s probably time to get it done. Simply remove the blade with a wrench and take it to a local mower shop. If you are not sure how to check your blade for wear and remove it, if necessary, check out one of the videos on YouTube, like this one.
Your grass will thank you for a nice cut and no dead grass to choke its growth. Your neighbors will thank you for the nice looking lawn. You may even get positive call-outs as people walk by. Lastly, the planet will thank you for saving it from dangerous chemicals and heavy resource usage. That one may be most important of all!