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Features
- Quick germination, rapid establishment
- Excellent temporary lawn (in the South)
- Good wear resistance
- Uniform, medium texture
- Ideal pH 6.0 to 7.0
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Area Suitable for Perennial Ryegrass ? |
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Type |
Cool season |
When to Fertilize |
Spring and Fall |
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Light |
Full sun |
Mowing Height |
2 to 3 inches |
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Planting Method |
Seed, sod |
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PERENNIAL RYEGRASS IN THE LANDSCAPE Back to Top |
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Perennial ryegrass improves the wear tolerance of mixed cool-season lawns that include bluegrass, fine fescue, or tall fescue. Perennial ryegrass seed germinates quickly, usually within 10 days after sowing, and the low-growing plants hold up well under foot traffic.
In warm climates, perennial ryegrass is used as a temporary "winter green" grass for overseeding established warm season grasses, especially zoysia and bermuda, in early fall. Planted in early fall, it maintains a bright green lawn through winter. By summer the perennial rye has died in the heat and the permanent grass is green again. |
Perennial ryegrass seed germinates quickly, usually within 10 days after sowing, and the low-growing plants hold up well under foot traffic. |
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Perennial ryegrass needs plenty of sun to make strong growth. |
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A healthy lawn that includes perennial ryegrass will survive periodic droughts, but if you want it to look picture perfect, you will probably need to provide extra water when dry spells last longer than a week. |
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Perennial ryegrass responds dramatically to being properly fed. Fertilize it correctly and perennial ryegrass will keep grass growing in areas that are often used for work or play. |
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BEAUTIFUL PERENNIAL RYEGRASS, SEASON BY SEASON Back to Top |
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You can grow perennial ryegrass in your lawn by following an easy Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program. Together with proper mowing and watering, these steps will help perennial ryegrass grow strong and healthy.
In cool-season lawns, perennial ryegrass is often combined with bluegrass or fescues. The same Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program used to maintain perennial ryegrass works well with these grasses, too. |
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VIGORO ULTRA TURF STEP-BY-STEP ANNUAL LAWN CARE PROGRAM Back to Top |
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To use perennial ryegrass as a temporary winter grass in warm climates, follow the Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program shaded in purple. If you have a perennial rye in a mixed cool-season lawn, follow the Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program shaded in blue. You can start either program during any season, but the key is to complete a full year. After a year you will see marked improvements in your lawn. When applying any lawn care product, always read the entire label first and follow directions. Be especially careful with weed control products and only use products labeled for use on perennial ryegrass. |
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Perennial Ryegrass for Winter Overseeding |
Perennial Ryegrass as a Permanent Lawn |
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Step 1: Apply in late winter or early spring
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer (only to a well-established planting)
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Step 1: Apply in late winter or early spring
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Moss Control plus Fertilizer (Pacific Northwest)
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Step 2: Apply in late spring or early summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 2: Apply in late spring or early summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer or Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed, if needed
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 3: Apply in late summer
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Step 3: Apply in late summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 4: Apply in fall
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Starter Fertilizer (for newly sown seed)
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Step 4: Apply in fall
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer
- Lime (only if needed to raise pH)
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PRODUCT |
DESCRIPTION |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer |
Keeps crabgrass seeds and other grassy weeds from germinating and feeds the lawn at the same time. Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension¨ keeps on killing crabgrass up to 4 weeks after it sprouts. Dimension¨ also prevents the sprouting of many broadleaf weeds, such as spurge, chickweed, and henbit. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Moss Control plus Fertilizer |
Will rid your lawn of moss. Although listed as an early spring application, you can use this product at any step. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed |
Kills broadleaf weeds that are actively growing and feeds the lawn at the same time. For best results apply it when weeds are still young and vigorously growing. Don't wait. Mowing a couple of days before applying will help stimulate new growth of older weeds. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer |
Should contain a combination of fast-release nitrogen to green the lawn quickly and timed-release nitrogen to feed grass for up to 2 or 3 months. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Starter Fertilizer |
Contains nitrogen and plenty of phosphorus to promote fast growth and strong root development of new seedlings. |
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Lime |
Raises the pH of soil that is too acidic. Easy Lime¨ is an easy-to-use, granular lime that is not as dusty as ordinary lime. |
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Insect Control |
Is important for the control of white grubs, fleas, cutworms, and other major lawn pests. If these have been a problem in your lawn, apply Insect Control early, while the pests are still young. You can also apply Vigoro Ultra Turf Summer Fertilizer with Insect Control to combine feeding and control in one easy application. |
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VIGORO ULTRA TURF TIPS FOR BETTER PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Back to Top |
- Always use a fertilizer spreader to spread lawn care products evenly. If you apply Weed and Feed, use a drop-type spreader for accurate application at the edge of flower and shrub beds. A broadcast spreader can throw weed control into the planting area where it may cause damage.
- Never mow too close. Close cutting weakens the grass and invites weeds. At the peak of summer, raise the mowing height to 3 inches. Avoid mowing altogether when the lawn is stressed by drought.
- In mixed cool-season lawns, repair damage to high traffic areas with fresh seed sown in early spring or late summer.
- Reseed in the fall if you use a Crabgrass Preventer in the spring. The same weed killers that prevent crabgrass seeds from germinating can stop ryegrass from sprouting like it should.
- In warm climates, perennial ryegrass normally dies out in midsummer. Reseed every fall to keep your lawn green through the winter.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Back to Top |
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Working with Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is basically a bunch-forming grass, so it does not have the fine texture of bluegrass. However, you can grow perennial ryegrass with bluegrass, with fine fescue or tall fescue. Because of its ability to germinate quickly, some perennial ryegrass seed is included in most bags of grass seed that are sold as cool-season mixes.
The best perennial ryegrass seed will be listed by variety name, such as Citation or Stallion.
Variety names are not as important when you are using perennial ryegrass as a temporary "winter green" lawngrass. However, think carefully before using annual ryegrass to green up your dormant Zoysia or Bermuda lawn. Annual ryegrass, which is a different species of ryegrass, is much larger and a more vigorous perennial ryegrass, which means it has a rougher texture and needs more mowing, especially in early spring. Perennial ryegrass seed costs more than annual ryegrass seed, but it is worth more because of its low maintenance requirements and handsome appearance. Annual ryegrass is the species often used for a "quick over" on sites after construction.
To help perennial ryegrass seed planted into a warm-season lawn germinate well, mow the dormant warm-season grass just before you sow ryegrass, and gather up the clippings. Then rake over the area to score the soil's surface. Like all grass seeds, perennial ryegrass will not germinate unless the seed is in direct contact with moist soil.after mowing, gradually fill them in with small amounts of soil, until they are raised to the level of the rest of the lawn. |
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