Overseeded Ryegrasss

Gardner Turfgrass, Inc.s: Winter Ryegrass is used for both residential and commercial lawns. Also widely used in winter months for athletic fields, golf courses and parks with high wear areas.

Color: Emerald green.

Texture: Medium-fine blades, with high grass plant density and quality leaf uniformity; excellent weed resistance.

Mowing Height: As low as 0.25 to 2 inches.

Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week.

Watering: Newly planted turf should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry out. Thereafter as needed to prevent visual wilt (blue-gray hue).

N Fertilization: 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per growing month when combined with recommended phosphorous and potassium.

Soils: Performs best in moist, well drained, fertile, medium-textured soils.

pH Tolerance: 5.5 to 8.8, with 6.0 to 7.0 preferred.

Wear Tolerance: Good.

Shade Tolerance: Performs best in full sun, yet tolerates some shade with increased mowing height.

Heat Tolerance: N/A.

Cold Tolerance: Thrives in cool weather and withstands temperatures of zero or below.

Care: Once the winter lawn is established, it will require the same maintenance as the permanent lawn. This includes mowing, watering and controlling pest. Begin mowing when the grass is tall enough to be cut (around 1-2 inches). Properly fertilized ryegrass grows very fast, so weekly mowing will be required. Do not mow with a dull blade or the seedlings may be torn from the ground or will have a ragged appearance. Water as needed to keep the grass from wilting. Fertilization will generally not be needed to keep the ryegrass growing vigorously. All ryegrass is fertilized before it is shipped. If the ryegrass tends to turn yellow, a small amount of fertilizer may be necessary to maintain a deep green color. Use a nitrogen fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate or others at one quarter pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. To maintain good vigor in the permanent bermudagrass, do not encourage the winter grass after temperatures warm up in the spring. The permanent bermudagrass can be weakened by the highly competitive ryegrass during this overlapping (transition) season of growth. Ryegrass will normally die in late spring, but if the weather is cool, and the lawn is watered frequently, it can be persistent. To discourage the ryegrass, discontinue fertilization in March. Water deep but infrequently ensuring the permanent bermudagrass does not suffer. Continue to mow the ryegrass as close as possible each week. These practices tend to weaken the winter grass and facilitate a faster transition back to the permanent bermudagrass. Once the permanent bermudagrass has resumed growth, begin your regular lawn maintenance program.

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