Overseeding with Rye or Fescue

grassnut – posted 30 September 2003 15:10

Hello,

I live in the Houston area and have a Bermuda lawn. I would like to try overseeding this winter but can’t decide on Rye or Fescue. I would prefer the one that dies out the quickest in the spring because my bermuda tends to green up by March. I also want a very fine leaf that is dark green in color and can be mowed to about 1 – 1 1/2 inches.

Thanks,

Brad

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 01 October 2003 11:41

I believe rye is the one everyone uses.

ted – posted 03 October 2003 12:52

yeah you’re going to want to go with rye grass. call the local Lesco service center on Lochaven and get some prices on quality seed- it’s getting about time to seed it- you may need to dethatch first- how long ahs the bermuda been down?

grassnut – posted 05 October 2003 12:53

Thanks for the replies. I’m planning on dethatching this comming week and getting the seeds down. I bought a Mantiss tiller a few years ago and they gave me special deal on the dethatching attachemnt. Have you used the mantiss as a detather? I’m sure it’s not as effective as a vertical mower that you can rent, but I already have it so I’d thought I’d give it a try. As far as small tillers go, the Mantis does a great job.

Thanks,

Brad

ted – posted 05 October 2003 14:15

just make sure you don’t tear it up too much. you don’t want to cause the bermuda any trouble in coming back next spring. just give the seed room to hit the soil, and no more. ryan/cushman makes the standard dethatcher- you might want to see about renting one.

kevin – posted 08 October 2003 19:43

What is wrong with fescue grass? I have a new yard with only dirt on it what should i do?

ec – posted 08 October 2003 22:29

because this post is about overseeding annual ryegrass would be used to allow one’s lawn to look green during the colder months. annual->it dies out as opposed to fescue which is perannual which may be perfect for a new lawn that lasts season after season w/ proper maintenence.

ted – posted 09 October 2003 11:47

kevin, it depends if you live in houston or not! i have overseeded fescue into st. augustine before. the fescue just lasts longer into the next spring season and possibily might make it a little harder for the st. augustine to come out although i didn’t have any problems. if you live in houston and have a bare lawn, then you might want to consider using the fescue- it will give you a longer green into next spring than the rye and you can sod later. if you’re talking about using fescue somewhere in the midwest or midsouth, then you probably need to get to seeding it, becuase you’re temps are starting to go lower