How Late Can I Plant?

New_Yard – posted 29 September 2005 22:11

I live in Dallas, TX. We have mild winters and I was wondering how late I can plant St Augustine and sod my entire backyard?

Thanks,

New_Yard

AMCalla – posted 30 September 2005 06:03

I live in Weatherford that is about 1 1/2 hours west of you. We only really have a few weeks left in the growing season. I think it is really a little late to lay sod. You can do it, but I will bet that a lot of the sod will not have time to establish well before going into winter dormancy and may not come back next year. It is a gamble on what the weather will do.

Aaron

New_Yard – posted 30 September 2005 07:36

I was worried about that. The backyard in my new house is coverless. If it was too late to plant I was considering seeding with a winter grass that would last 1 winter and die, then I could sod.

How does that sound and if a good plan, what winter seed?

Thanks,

Michael

AMCalla – posted 30 September 2005 09:18

A lot of people around here overseed their Bermuda yards with Rye in the winter. The seed is cheap and you will have less trouble blocking it out next spring when you lay the SA grass. Problem is you will have to mow all winter though. I think that is the way I would go. I have never done it so I am not sure when is a good time to plant the seed. Especially since we will go into our fall stormy season. Since you don’t already have turf to help protect the seed, you will have to stay on top of it. You want the grass to stay moist, but not get soaked or washed away. Also, I remember you saying you have kids and dogs. You will want to keep them all off the grass until the seed germinates and grows until your 3rd or 4th cutting. Not going to be easy. If you don’t, the seedling will be smashed down and may not make it. Hopefully someone will come along that knows more about winter grass in this area.

Aaron

ChuckB – posted 30 September 2005 14:13

If you are planting warm season plugs in later months of summer / early fall, you should observe the requirement that at least 6-8 weeks of growing temperatures needs to be available prior to first frost. Preferably the temperatures should be above 70 degrees in the day. Cool nights can slow growth (create winter dormancy in the plant) of warm season grasses and thus result in less establishment of the root system prior to winter’s arrival. There is higher risk of failure with fall planting, thus we recommend spring & summer planting only.

You may or may not have successful establishment of your warm season plug. This will depend on many factors including soil type, extent of winter temperatures (hard winter / snow cover / etc.) along with other factors thus it is impossible to predict if your late planted plugs will become established and return to life in the spring.

Hope ths helps,

Chuck

ChuckB – posted 30 September 2005 14:14

Also, check outwww.landscapeinformation.com

For more help.