after winter rye?? Help!

tlj22 – posted 04 April 2006 09:16

I planted winter rye on a new construction yard this winter, Can I plant bermuda with completely tilling the yard up again? I can’t afford to sod the entire lot, it is about 1 .5 acres, so what should i plant, if not bermuda? I am in North Alabama and it gets very warm and yard is full sun… Thank you!!

bsolo – posted 20 April 2006 21:51

Bermuda is your best bet if it’s sunny. I wouldn’t recommend sodding based on my own experiences (see my column in the Bermuda category). You could mix Bermuda seed with top soil and try scatter seeding. I’ve seen it done, but never tried it myself.

Another idea would be to checkerboard the sod, save you about half the expense.

Good luck!

wrangler – posted 21 April 2006 06:21

It is a very common practice to plant seeded bermudagrass into ryegrass without tilling. Apply glyphosate @ 32oz/acre. Remove as much residue as possible and verticut to allow direct soil contact with the seed. Plant when soil temps are above 65 degrees F and keep the area wet for untill seed is completly emerged. I am attatching a very good establishment guide that outlines this very procedure. http://www.johnstonseed.com/imiages/bermudagrass-est.pdf

Good Luck