Overseeding Lawns With Ryegrass

Overseeding includes planting an annual cool season grass within the fall on top of a permanent warm-season grass. It’s a well-liked resolution to a major drawback of warm-season grasses, which can be that they go dormant following the very first frost and remain brown till spring.

Overseeding with ryegrass is really a widespread practice where homeowners and turf managers desire to appreciate green lawns year round. In addition, it assists prevent erosion on new lawns where the permanent grass just isn't yet established.

Each annual and perennial ryegrass are employed for overseeding. With darker green, finer leaves, perennial ryegrass is regarded as more eye-catching. Each annual and perennial ryegrass die out within the spring in warm climates, but the perennial can interfere with permanent lawns because it lives longer inside the spring. Perennial ryegrass is far more disease-resistant than annual ryegrass.

When to Overseed with Ryegrass

The best time to overseed is when the days are warm sufficient (around 70 degrees F) to encourage germination and growth along with the nights are cool sufficient (around 50 degrees F) to discourage illnesses. Thirty days prior to frost is typically a good time, but timing varies by location.

Preparing the Lawn for Overseeding

It really is important to dethatch a heavily thatched lawn; otherwise the ryegrass seed will not make contact with the ground, leaving unseeded patches of lawn. Dethatch by verticutting or aerifying. If lawn aeration is completed, wait 30 days prior to overseeding. Verticutting must be carried out just ahead of overseeding.

Mow the lawn closely and catch or rake clippings just before seeding.

How to Sow Ryegrass

If making use of annual ryegrass sow 10 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Sow perennial ryegrass at a price of 5 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet. (The type of permanent grass impacts sowing price, with Bermuda grass requiring a higher rate.)

To ensure even distribution sow half the seed in one direction as well as the other half at appropriate angles to the very first half. Following sowing rake the ground having a broom to help the seed make make contact with with the soil.

Till the seeds germinate water lightly two or three occasions a day. Then water only sufficient to prevent wilting. Overwatering encourages diseases.

Maintaining the Winter Lawn

Mow when the lawn is about 1 to 2 inches high. Soon after that mow to 1 to 1 ½ inches when the grass reaches 2 to two ½ inches high. Keep mower blades sharp to avoid ripping the blades of the ryegrass.

Soon after the second mowing apply ½ pound of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.

Reestablishing the Permanent Lawn

In warm climates ryegrass generally dies out in late spring. Nevertheless, it might reside longer in the event the spring is cool, producing competitors for the permanent lawn, particularly in instances of drought. Cease fertilizing in March to discourage the ryegrass from growing.

Mow the ryegrass as close as possible, lowering the mower height with each mowing. Resume normal warm season mowing, watering, and fertilizing when the permanent grass starts growing.