Ryegrass will provide color all winter and die out in spring when the dormant turf begins to actively grow.
All turf grasses go dormant in winter.
Dormancy is natural, and there isnothing wrong with a lawn that turns brownfor this reason.
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The annual ryegrass will die in spring when the turf grass begins growing again.
These 12 expert tips willensure you enjoy a green lawnof annual ryegrass this winter.
There areseveral species of warm-season turf grassesbut not all are good candidates for overseeding.
Researchers have found that bermudagrass tolerates overseeding best and with the fewest long-term side effects.
Resist overseeding a lawn made up of centipedgegrass, zoysiagrass, or St. Augustinegrass.
These species don’tappreciate the extra irrigationand fertilization that the temporary grass will require.
Choose annual ryegrass seed.
Two types of ryegrass seed are used for overseeding:annual and perennial.
Annual ryegrass seed is significantly less expensive than perennial ryegrass.
Also, annual ryegrass will quickly die out in spring when the permanent turf emerges from dormancy.
Perennial ryegrass has the potential to compete with the permanent turf.
Time ryegrass seeding right.
Overseed in fall when daytime temperatures are consistently in the low to mid 70s.
In areas that receive frost, overseeding should occur about 30 daysbefore the first average fall frost.
Typically, lawns are overseeded in October and November.
Exceptionally warm regions can overseed in December.
Once the thatch is removed, the soil will be exposed and ready for ryegrass seeding.
Mow low to prepare seedbed.
Be mindful of seeding rate.
For small lawns, annual ryegrass can easily be spread by hand.
Large lawns call for a simple hopper-style spreader available at home improvement stores.
Spread ryegrass seed in two directions.
Cover the area to be seeded in two directions for auniform stand of grass.
Begin by spreading half of the ryegrass seed in one direction.
Spread the other half of the seed by making passes that are perpendicular to the first direction.
Ryegrass seeds must reach out to the soil to grow.
Seeds resting on the leaf blades of the existing turfgrass will not grow.
Brush the turfgrass with a stiff broom to dislodge seeds and help them filter down to the soil level.
Water the seeded area lightly two or three times a dayuntil the seeds germinateusually within seven to ten days.
Continue watering daily for two to three weeks until annual ryegrass is thick and lush.
Aim to supply turf with a quarter-inch of water each day.
Water annual ryegrass as needed once it’s established.
A green and growing winter lawn meanswinter lawn care.
Beginmowing a new stand of annual ryegrassafter it reaches around 3 inches tall.
Maintain it at 1 12 to 2 inches tall.
Dont let it get too long.
Excessive debris from clippings can harm the permanent turf grass.
Fertilize after second mowing.
Annual ryegrass naturally dies out in spring as the weather warms.
To speed the process, mow ryegrass lowa one-inch mowing height is good.
It will weaken the ryegrass and make way for the permanent grass to rejuvenate.
When the permanent grass begins actively growing, apply nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer according to package directions.
If you choose not to overseed, ryegrass seeds will germinate in clumps, and thelawn will look weedy.
The preemergent herbicide applied in fall will stop any remaining ryegrass seeds from germinating.
