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Krigger & Company, Inc. |
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"Proudly serving the turf maintenance industry since 1924" |
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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 dependent 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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| This site was created by Krigger & Company, Inc. and is maintained internally.
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| 4360 Gibsonia Road |
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Toll Free
800.252.TURF (8873) |
| P.O. Box 1427 |
Phone
724.444.KRIG (5744) |
| Gibsonia, PA 15044-1427 |
Fax
724.444.1027 |
| (north of
Pittsburgh, PA) |
email
sales@krigger.com |
| Copyright © 2011 [Krigger & Company, Inc.]. All rights reserved. |
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