Ryegrass is a cool season turfgrass that provides green cover through the fall and winter months. When utilized as an over-seed into bermuda, full year around green turf can be achieved with proper maintenance. Because of its finer texture, perennial ryegrass is preferred over annual ryegrass for those desiring higher winter quality turf. Recommended for residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses, parks, athletic fields and recreation areas desiring year around green cover. Because it is less expensive, annual ryegrass is often utilized for roadsides and construction sites for winter erosion control.

SHADE TOLERANCE:
Has moderate shade tolerance. Requires 50°/° filtered or half- day direct sunlight.
HEAT/COLD TOLERANCE:
Has fair heat tolerance and good cold tolerance-does not tolerate extreme heat or cold. For perennial cover suggested use limited to cooler shaded applications in Southern regions. See shaded portion of map below for suggested areas of use.
DORMANCY:
Enters dormant stage in summer months. After dormancy, perennial ryegrasses should begin re-growth
in early fall. Annual ryegrass will not return after dormancy and must be re-seeded in fall.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Prefers moist soil conditions. Has high water requirements in hot, dry weather.
WEAR RESISTANCE-RECOVERY:
Has good tolerance to traffic after established. Recovers from wear in cool season. Is considered a bunch grass and does not spread. May become necessary to overseed in early fall or spring.

RULES OF THUMB MAINTENANCE:

The amount and frequency of watering, mowing and fertilizing depends upon the desired appearance of your turfgrass. Guidelines for maintenance procedures are offered below as good rules of thumb to follow on an as needed basis in maintaining healthy turfgrass with an attractive appearance.

WATERING:
During hot, dry weather apply 1 inch of water in a single application 1 to 2 times per week. During spring and fall, apply 1 inch of water every 7-10 days in absence of rainfall.

MOWING:
Bermuda overseeded with ryegrass will require year around mowing. For a high quality appearance keep mowed height 1 1l2 to 2 112 inches. If overseeded into bermuda, lower mowing height in mid-spring in order to promote bermuda growth. Mow regularly with a reel or rotary mower allowing the clippings to remain. Irregular mowing practices may result in high buildups of thatch, which will require verticutting or mulching. Suggested not removing more than 1l3 of the leaf growth during a single mowing.

FERTILIZING:
Apply 1 to 1 112 Ibs per 1000 SF of balanced fertilizer; such as 19-19-19, containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium in September and late February. Additional nitrogen may be applied at 112 Ibs per 1000 SF in April, May and October to maintain a deep green color. Suggest obtaining a soil test for specific fertilizer requirements. Please note if overseeded with bermuda, bermuda will require nitrogen in warm season. See bermuda maintenance.

WEED CONTROL:
Weed growth competes with turfgrass growth. Good maintenance practices of your turfgrass help eliminate weed problems. However, it may be necessary even under the best of care, to apply herbicides to maintain weed free turfgrass. Contact your local County Extension agent or herbicide dealer for recommendations for your type turfgrass.

Note: Due to varying soil conditions and fluctuating weather patterns, it is impossible to offer general maintenance guidelines that an perfect for individual sites and situations. Please contact your local O.S.U. County Extension Offices or Easton Sod Farms for specific questions.