What kind of grass for Southwest Missouri?

slow in MO – posted 19 March 2004 07:14

Hello. A friend referred me here and I’m hoping I can get some suggestions. We built our house last year and moved in during June. We planted grass at the end of June (not the best time, I’m sure). We planted a mix of rye and fescue…thinking the rye would at least give us some grass in just a few days and the fescue would fill in the gaps eventually. Well most of it has turned out great, except right in front of our house. It’s not shaded at all, and it’s now very patching. A few weeks ago we tried to reseed with fescue and it didn’t take. It hasn’t been cold, but it hasn’t been the warmest either. We don’t know anything about fertilizers, different grasses. Nothing. We are complete novices. Any suggestions on what type of grass we should use? The area is pretty limey. The area right in front of our house is new soil as of last year. So we probably have about an inch and a half of top soil and then some sort of red clay underneath that. Thanks for your help!

Mouse – posted 19 March 2004 07:32

did you keep the seeds moist this recently planting time?

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 19 March 2004 10:01

I can’t explain your specific seed problem, but I can give you some suggestions for good general lawn care.

1. Water deeply and infrequently. Deeply means at least an hour in every zone, all at once. Infrequently means monthly during the cool months and no more than weekly during the hottest part of summer. If your grass looks dry before the month/week is up, water longer next time. Deep watering grows deep, drought resistant roots. Infrequent watering allows the top layer of soil to dry completely which kills off many shallow rooted weeds.

2. Mow at the highest setting on your mower. Most grasses are the most dense when mowed tall. Bermuda, centipede, and bent grasses are the most dense when mowed at the lowest setting on your mower. Dense grass shades out weeds and uses less water when tall. Dense grass feeds the deep roots you’re developing in 1 above.

3. Fertilize regularly. I fertilize 4 times per year using organic fertilizer. Which fertilizer you use is much less important than numbers 1 and 2 above.

If you use a chemical fertilizer, be sure to follow the directions to the letter. More is NOT better when using fertilizer or any lawn chemicals.

ted – posted 19 March 2004 14:39

you problem was that you didn’t seed last fall. you should be using tall fescue, only. it’s too cool right now for optimum germination. you could try a little seeding when temps get in the 70’s consistently, but you’re much better off waiting until mid- sept.