I scalped after greening, but let the grass grow before mowing again because I laid some more seed out and wanted to give it time to germinate (dumb idea I know). I mowed a few times at 2 1/2" to give the seed a bit more time, then mowed twice at 2 1/8", and most recently twice at 1 3/4". However, as I'm sure you've already guessed, I get some brown patches mowing at 1 3/4" where I've cut to stem (from years of high mowing heights I'm sure).

I have no problem mowing every 3 days. The Toro has cutting heights of 1", 1 3/8", 1 3/4", 2 1/8", and so on. Should I scalp again at 1" to leave room for the grass blade to grow and then adjust my height accordingly? If so, what Toro height do you suggest after scalping again (only a few options in the 1" to 2 1/2" range)?

Thanks so much for reading and replying!

Perhaps whats more important is how often you are able to cut the lawn? If bermuda grows 1/4" a day, by day 3 it would be about 2.5". 2/3 of 2.5" is 1 2/3. My cutting height of 1 3/4" would be above that so I wouldn't be taking more than 1/3 off. Man, I'm probably way overthinking this.

There are two solutions:

1. Mow more frequently so as not to remove too much blade length which is what scalping is.

2. If your schedule does not allow more frequent mowing, then you have no other choice than to raise the cutting height so you do not scalp the lawn.

If it rains a lot when you are trying to maintain a strict mowing schedule, one is supposed to raise the mowing height so as to not take off more than 1/3. Can you mow the very next day at a lower height to try and get back to your original height or should you wait longer?

Where are you located? Does it get really hot and dry in July and August?

I'm located in Aiken, SC. The average temperatures in July are highs of 92 and lows of 72 with an average rain fall of 5.1 inches. The average tempratures in August are highs of 91 and lows of 71 with an average rainfall of 5.25 inches.

Forgive me if this throws my thread a bit off topic, but since I have the pro's ear I'd like to ask one more question. Bermuda needs about 1" deeply and infrequently a week (soil, climate, etc. may change this). If it rains 1/2" one day then 1/2" the next and no more the rest of the week, should I automatically water 1/2" to make up the extra 1/2"? I'm thinking it isn't exact and to just pay attention to the lawn. When it shows signs of drought water 1" and don't water again until it shows signs of drought regardless or rain. Many thanks TW.

The one inch per week thing is only a guideline. Watch the lawn and do what it tells you to do. You will likely have spots that dry out faster than others. Watch those spots and water accordingly.

If you find that you're mowing more often than you wish, raise it another notch and let that be your normal height. With Bermuda, the lower the better, which is why I suggest the lowest height where you don't cut dirt.

A word of warning, though. Don't scalp in really hot weather. I did that in August one time and it was the following spring before the lawn looked good again. I mow at about 1/2 inch and I have to raise the mower in late summer to keep it looking really green and healthy. One year, I decided to scalp again and keep my 1/2 inch setting. Bad idea.

1. Not frequent enough and the grass goes dormant.
2. Way to often leaving you with soggy soil and drowns the grass.
3. If you are lucky it maybe about right for a few weeks out of a year.

For example where I live now down in the Valley of Sun if you only watered once a week in summer, you lawn would dry up and blow away as dust. They have to be watered just about every day early in the morning and sometimes later in the afternoon with really coarse sand and pebble soils down there.

The right answer is you water when your grass tells you it is thirsty by watching for the Color Shift to a darker dull color. When th egrass gets dry the leaves curl up to minimum exposure to the sun and conserve water. When that happens you see the underside of the grass blade which is a duller darker color. You will also notice if you walk across it and look back your foot steps do not disappear quickly.

At the firs sign anywhere in your yard, and there will be that one area that always is first, soak it down deep with a drink.