The Bermuda Bible

Ryegrass

Ryegrass is often used in the winter to maintain a green lawn in the winter, or to avoid erosion in places you plan to have bermuda grass in the future.

Annual vs Perennial

While annual grass will dye off naturally come summer, it will still need to be killed via a post emergent come spring time to avoid stunting the green up of your bermuda grass. Perennial ryegrass (PRG) is often chose as it’s a finer, denser, and more uniform grass, compared to annual ryegrass. It’s also more resistant to diseases, pests and foot traffic.

When To Seed

PRG germinates when the soil temperature is between 50°F and 65°F. If you don’t have irrigation, it might be a good idea to start watching for rain as soon as your 65 degree date approaches and have you seed down by the time it rains. Of course, if it’s a big rain storm then you’ll want to avoid seeding.

Dallas, TexasPhoenix, ArizonaCharlotte, North CarolinaAtlanta, Georgia
65FOct 27Nov 13Oct 17Oct 18
50FDec 1Jan 1Nov 13Nov 14
Based on historical 10-year average

Best Seed

Most perennial ryegrasses are sold as a blend. While a perfectly mixed blend can give a uniform look, it is sometimes preferred to use one type of ryegrass. The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program is often used to find the best type of seed for any given year.

Currently, one of the top perennial ryegrass cultivars that is available to the public is Stellar 4GL.

Pre-emergent

Pre-emergent cannot be used before seeding ryegrass. However, for best results, pre-emergents must be applied around 70 degree soil temps in the fall, meaning the pre-emergent herbicide would prevent ryegrass from germinating. Pre-emergents can be applied after your ryegrass is established if you choose, but the results will not be as weed-free as a lawn without PRG and with a timely fall pre-emergent application.

Steps

Seeding ryegrass is much easier than bermuda grass.

  1. Scalp your bermuda grass lawn to prevent competition. Bag clippings ideally.
  2. Aerate if you want to. Helps with PRG seeding but also compaction for your bermuda.
  3. Spread the seed.
  4. Top dress with compost or peat moss.
  5. Water. Keep the seed wet 24/7.
  6. Fertilize.