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Overseed Instructions

Why should I overseed my lawn with ryegrass? In this section we will answer this question along with the steps of transitioning bermudagrass to ryegrass and ryegrass back to bermudagrass.

Most people overseed their lawn so they will have a lush green yard through the cool season. Bermudagrass is a warm season grass that goes dormant as the temperature drops. Ryegrass is a cool season grass that will survive the colder temperatures during the winter. Overseeding with rye grass also improves bare spots, thickens turf and helps crowd out weeds.

Usually into October as the bermuda starts to go dormant, we will start mowing yards shorter and shorter. The last cut will be 1 to 11/2 inches. This is known as scalping the grass. Once the grass is scalped and all the debris is removed, we will apply rye seed evenly over the entire lawn. Once the seed is down, it is very important to keep the yard moist until the new seed germinates. Do not let the seed dry out. After the new ryegrass begins to establish itself, a fertilizer application will be done to insure a thick green lawn. Mowing will be done weekly throughout the winter.

As the days get warmer and warmer, it becomes time for the bermuda to come out of dormancy. Generally bermuda green up will begin in mid-March. The ryegrass competes with the bermuda as it returns from dormancy. The ryegrass shades the soil and bermuda keeping them both cooler than normal. The longer bermudagrass green up is delayed the greater the chance the bermuda will not be healthy and vigorous. As soon as it gets warm enough for the bermuda to begin growth the ryegrass should begin to die out. Frequent mowing at a low mowing height will help get rid of the ryegrass. Bermuda will thrive under low mowing the ryegrass will not. Fertilization practices during the transition period are also critical to bermuda recovery. When temperatures increase to favor bermudagrass, nitrogen rates should be increased to promote bermudagrass recovery.