Zoysia grass is a warm-season turf that enters a dormant, brown state during cooler months, requiring different annual maintenance than cool-season grasses. Scalping is an aggressive, low cut performed once a year to remove built-up thatch and dead material from the previous season’s growth. This process clears the way for new growth and encourages a uniform, vibrant green-up across the entire lawn in the spring. Scalping prepares the turf for a strong, healthy growing season.
Identifying the Optimal Timing
The most important factor in scalping Zoysia grass is precise timing, which depends on the environment rather than a specific calendar date. You want to perform this deep cut after the grass has emerged from its winter dormancy but before active new green growth begins. Scalping too early, while the grass is still fully dormant, leaves the delicate crown of the plant exposed to potential late-season frost damage.
The best indicator for this window is the soil temperature. Zoysia roots begin to wake up when soil temperatures consistently reach 50–55°F at a four-inch depth. Waiting until this point ensures the grass has enough stored energy to quickly recover from the stress of the cut. Scalping too late means cutting off the new, vibrant green blades, which stresses the plant and defeats the purpose of encouraging a fast green-up.
This timing allows sunlight to penetrate the soil more easily, warming it faster and accelerating the metabolic processes of the grass roots. Relying on soil temperature is more actionable than using general calendar dates, which can vary widely depending on your specific region. The goal is to catch the grass just as it is beginning to stir, before it starts growing vigorously.
Proper Technique and Height Setting
The mechanical process of scalping involves reducing the Zoysia grass height significantly, typically down to a final target height between 0.5 to 1 inch. This low cut removes the layer of dead, brown leaf tissue accumulated over the winter. The final height should be the lowest setting your mower can safely handle without disturbing the soil itself.
Do not attempt this deep cut in a single pass, as this can shock the turf and overload the mower. Instead, gradually lower the mower height over several passes, taking off no more than one-third of the remaining grass height in each pass until the desired low setting is reached. Using sharp mower blades is essential to ensure a clean cut, preventing the tearing of leaf blades and stolons which could invite disease.
Safety is a consideration, as scalping at such a low height increases the risk of the blade striking uneven ground or debris. Ensure your lawn is clear of any rocks or large twigs before beginning the process. While a reel mower is often preferred for achieving the lowest, cleanest cut, a sharp rotary mower can still be used if lowered incrementally.
Post-Scalping Cleanup and Recovery
Immediately following the scalping process, a thorough cleanup of the resulting clippings is mandatory for healthy recovery. The sheer volume of material removed constitutes a significant layer of thatch and dead tissue that must be collected and removed from the lawn. Leaving these heavy clippings on the turf will smother the emerging new growth, blocking sunlight and trapping excessive moisture, which can encourage fungal issues.
After the cleanup, the exposed soil requires light watering to settle any disturbed areas. This initial watering should not be a deep soaking, but rather a lighter application to help the crown of the plant and exposed stolons. It is important to resist the urge to apply fertilizer at this time, as the grass is not actively growing and cannot efficiently use the nutrients.
Fertilization should only occur once the Zoysia grass has fully greened up and is showing signs of active growth, typically three to six weeks after scalping. Applying nitrogen too early can promote a flush of growth that the newly waking roots are not prepared to support. Waiting until the turf is fully transitioned ensures the fertilizer is used effectively to support a dense, healthy canopy.