[dtillman5]

I have 55cm 10 blade Swardman with grooved front roller coming. Should be here around July 18. Because I have been cutting with a rotary and my HOC is now 1.25", wanted to know, at this time of year what is the risk of severe scalp with PGR applied 6/28. My thought was attempt to scalp to 3/8 with a new HOC at .5". I thought I'd drop down a little at a time in one mowing session, meaning mow the whole lawn at .75" then drop a little and mow again to ensure I can mow this low without scalping, don't care so much about brown just about being able to mow level, unless this is a bad idea. I did my first level this year 5/22 and it's much more level.. I'm curious, I have about 3 months of mowing left this season so I'd like to get the Swardman into action.. what are thoughts on or recommendations on this? @Ware @Greendoc @viva_oldtrafford @Tellycoleman and anyone else who was faced with scalping Bermuda this time of year and it's recovery. I know if I scalp I'll need to water a lot, and fertilize. What about PGR? Should I keep it up the rest of the season? Thanks in advance for any/all input! If recommending not scalping and I keep a higher HOC .75-1.0" will the 10 blade reel give me issues?

 

[Greendoc]

First of all, when does the Bermuda go dormant in your area?

 

[dtillman5]

First of all, when does the Bermuda go dormant in your area?

mine goes dormant roughly early to mid October

 

[Greendoc]

Then you have time to scalp now as long as you can irrigate as needed. 10 bladed reels do best at 0.4" and lower. If I were maintaining at 0.75 and higher that would be a 5 blade reel. The higher the HOC the fewer blades desired. Tif is a grass that performs best at 0.5 or lower.

 

[dtillman5]

Thanks @Greendoc I'd preferre below .5 but not sure if timing is right getting the reel mower this late. If I should attempt to scalp at 5/16" and raise to 3/8" I'll give it a go. When I did my level on 5/22 I scalped to .5" and it wasn't terrible, but my HOC was .75" then.

Scalp ^ before level






Roughly current state of lawn ^

 

[dtillman5]

Not sure if the pictures help or not.. just wanted to include if they help

 

[kur1j]

@dtillman5 I think you have time to do a low scalp. I did a scalp last year down to ~.5" and it was fully recovered in about 6 weeks. You have a good 2+ months left of growing season from the 17th. If you get the mower on the 17th and do it the 21st I think you will be fine.

 

[dtillman5]

@kur1j glad to hear from someone who's done it. Thank you

 

[Ware]

I agree, I don't think you'd have any problem getting it to recover.

 

[dtillman5]

Thanks @Ware I'll attempt to document the process if it will help others..