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Lawn Striping and Lawn Patterns - How Do They Work?
NEW! - We know some of you are as crazy about lawn striping
as we are. So, it's time to Show Your
Stripes! Email us pictures of your Scag striped lawn and we might
post them for everyone to admire. Click
here to get started! |
 The
following explains how lawn striping works and what can be done
to increase the lawn striping effect.
The "stripes" that you see on a lawn or athletic field are caused by light reflecting
off the blades of grass. It has not been cut at a different height nor
is it a different breed of grass. The "stripes" are made by bending
the blades of grass in different directions.
IT'S ALL ABOUT DIRECTION!
 The
direction that the grass is bent determines the "light" or "dark" colored
stripe. When the blades of grass are bent away from you, the grass appears
lighter in color because the light is reflecting off of the wide, lengthy part
of the blade. When the blades of grass are bent towards you, the grass
appears darker as you are looking more of the tips of the blades (a smaller reflective
surface) and the shadows under the grass. So cutting a lawn in an opposing
pattern (up/down, right/left, north/south, east/west etc) provides the most
contrasting stripe effect. Interestingly, as the "color" of
the stripe is dependant upon what direction you are looking at it from, a "light" colored
stripe will appear "dark" if you view it from the opposing direction.
 LAWN STRIPE INTENSITY
The easiest way to intensify the stripe is to bend the grass farther. The best
way to do that is to physically contact it with a roller and press it to the
ground. The Scag Tiger Striper™ does exactly
that. In fact, it even uses spring force to bend the grass over. It is much more
effective than other systems that simply glide a roller across the tips of the
grass. Stripe intensity can also be affected by the length of cut. Cutting
the grass shorter will normally lessen the stripe as the shorter grass blade
will not bend over as far and therefore reflects less light. A longer cut
will normally enhance the striping pattern. Even a small amount can make
a noticeable difference. Going from 2" to 2.5" or from 3 " to 3.5" can
make a difference in the lawn stripe pattern intensity.
 Grass types are also a factor in striping. Certain breeds of grass will
bend easier and can provide a better stripe pattern. Warm season grasses (found
in the southern regions of the United States) are typically more difficult to
stripe as they are more rigid and harder to bend. The stripe can also be affected
by the position of the sun. Stripe patterns may seem more intense at various
times of the day and in different light levels. |
BASIC LAWN STRIPE PATTERNS
 Begin
by mowing the perimeter around the property (reference
diagram to the right). Next, mow in opposing directions
through the remaining property. Take care when turning
at the end of each row to prevent turf damage. A simple "Y" type
turn at the end of each row will reduce the chance of turf
damage while setting the mower up for the next row to be
mowed. Going over the perimeter once again will remove
any stripe pattern irregularities left from turning at
the end of each row and delivers a clean, finished look. |
"CHECKERBOARD" STRIPE PATTERNS
 Begin
by mowing the perimeter around the property (reference
diagram to the right). Next, mow in opposing directions
through the remaining portion of the property (as shown
in diagram to the left). Take care when turning at the
end of each row to prevent turf damage. A simple "Y" type
turn at the end of each row will reduce the chance of
turf damage while setting the mower up for the next row
to be mowed. Now, travel in the opposite direction of
the original mowing pattern (for example: if you were
mowing North and South, now mow East and West, etc).
Finish the job by mowing the perimeter again. Going over
the perimeter once again will remove any stripe pattern
irregularities left from turning at the end of each row
and delivers a clean, finished look. |
"DIAGONAL" or "CRISS-CROSS" STRIPE PATTERNS
 This
pattern is achieved using the same techniques as the "Checkerboard" stripe
pattern listed above. Simply apply the stripes in a diagonal direction. |
"WHAT ABOUT LAWN STRIPING AROUND TREES
AND OTHER OBSTACLES?"
 When
mowing/striping around trees and other obstacles, mow around
the object into the uncut path (reference the picture to
the left). While making your next pass, you will mow/stripe
over the turn marks and retain your nice even stripe pattern.
With a little practice, your stripes will appear to pass
directly through the objects, producing an even stripe
throughout your lawn. |
TAKE YOUR LAWNS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
 Lawn
striping can be easy with the right tools and a little
planning. A stripe pattern can make fertilizing and over-seeding
easier by giving you definitive lines to follow. It can
also help detract attention from imperfections in your
lawn such as weeds or bare spots. Striping is sometimes
used to accentuate certain parts of a property. By converging
the stripe pattern at a particular location (a focal point
like a fountain, flower bed, etc.) you can draw the viewer's
attention to that area.
 Lawn striping is an excellent way to set your lawns apart from the competition
and have a lawn that everyone admires. If you are serious about striping, it
is important to know that all lawn stripers are not created equal.
Click
here to learn about the ultimate lawn striping system...the Scag Tiger Striper. |
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