The rye grasses are also appropriate for October planting in warmer climates. Sow 3 to 5 lbs of winter rye seed per 1,000 square feet of existing grasses or use 5 to 7 lbs of seed for 1,000 square feet of bare earth. They need two to four weeks of frost-free weather to become established, so adjust the planting date for your area.
Ryegrass is not specific to the summer season. It does better in moderate temperatures and does not tolerate extreme heat or cold. Perennial ryegrass grass grows during the colder months of autumn to spring. In summer, it flourishes in moderate temperatures.
What is the difference between ryegrass and rye?
Ryegrass sounds similar to rye by name but it is a very different grass. Ryegrasses are very palatable, high quality forage grasses. There are several types of ryegrass with varietal differences within each type.
Perennial ryegrass is not significantly more heat tolerant than annual ryegrass, because both prefer temperatures of 68 to 77 F and suffer when day time temperatures exceed 87 F. However, it does not withstand drought as well as annual ryegrass, so gardens susceptible to dry spells benefit more from annual ryegrass.
When mixed with perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass in autumn, annual ryegrass provides ample coverage in winter, especially in areas where warm-season grasses won’t grow . Annual ryegrass has a one-year life cycle, but it can survive summer’s heat better than perennial ryegrass.
How much winter rye seed do I need to plant?
Sow 3 to 5 lbs of winter rye seed per 1,000 square feet of existing grasses or use 5 to 7 lbs of seed for 1,000 square feet of bare earth. They need two to four weeks of frost-free weather to become established, so adjust the planting date for your area.
When is the best time of year to plant a new lawn?
Cool-season grasses are planted in the fall. In warm climates, they give you a green lawn over the winter months. In cooler climates, they provide summer green. The best time to plant your new lawn depends on your climate. Early fall planting is best to give the lawn time to become established. In most areas, Oct.
Bluegrass seeds are best planted in the early fall, but planting as late as Oct. 15 is often successful. With late planting, mix in approximately 40 percent rye grass seed. The rye grass germinates quickly and provides cover for the bluegrass over the winter.