Overseeding (winter rye) concerns in DFW (N. Texas)

John in Frisco – posted 12 September 2005 14:58

Before I take the leap and overseed my backyard, I am hoping that one of you pros can lay my concerns to rest. Frankly, I’d rather not overseed. However, indoor dogs, static electricity, and dormant Bermuda grass just do not mix. Add a rainy winter’s day and, well, you get the picture.

First, should I even overseed? Are there risks involved? Do the risks outweigh the benefits. Will my lawn make a full recovery? Should I overseed with Bermuda at the same time? Hulled? How short can I keep winter rye? Should I collect the clippings with each mowing? How can I speed my lawn’s recovery next spring? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

QWERTY – posted 12 September 2005 15:13

I’d stick with gulf annual ryegrasses. The perennial ryegrass might stick around a bit too long before burning up in the summer, interfering with bermuda’s regrowth in the spring. I’ve seen gulf annual ryegrasses at walmart at a cheap price. They will burn out earlier when the weather starts to warm up.

They probably need to be cut at minimum 2 inches, maybe 3 inches (my preference) but you have to mow often, maybe twice a week depending on the amount of rainfall but you’ll have nice looking yard. I used to do the same thing when I had dogs and needed to keep the soil together during the winter.

kyleinmarietta – posted 12 September 2005 19:05

I overseeded bermuda twice with winter rye. Never had any problems with the Bermuda coming back healthy.

The problem I had was that rye is a very wet grass. Even after several dry days in a row, it would clump and matt like just-rained-on fescue when I tried to cut it. It left big wads of wet grass all over the yard and the bagger would always stop up. After the first year, I swore to myself I’d never do it again, but then I said “It can’t really be that bad, lots of people do it”, and tried again. Same results.

Never again.

QWERTY – posted 12 September 2005 19:34

Still better that than dogs tracking mud into the house! Sounded like you planted too much seeds?? I dont recall having that problem other than having to mow often to keep them from getting too tall. Try less seeds and see what happens.

John in Frisco – posted 14 September 2005 07:47

Thanks QWERTY, Kyle. Let me see: muddy pups and dead blades of grass versus clumpy wet grass, frozen phalanges, but a happy lady? I’ll bite the bullet and take the leap. One more question guys, if you please. Should I follow the grass seed’s recommended lb/1000? Or, is there an unsaid magical formula? Thanks in advance.

turfrus – posted 16 September 2005 06:55

I’m going to seed TAM90 annual ryegrass at a rate of 5 lbs./1,000 s.f. in native soil, after I burn off the annual weeds.