annual or perennial ryegrass? (buy, price, yard)

[ajonesaz]

I have never had a winter lawn before and I am confused with the two options? What is the different between annual and perennial ryegrass?

Which one is better? I have a dog and a toddler who use the yard if that makes a difference.

[pbenjamin]

We have always been told to use perennial, although it seems odd that you have to plant "perennial" every year.

The annual ryegrass is not bred to hold up to lots of traffic, for color, or to handle days when we get too hot in early spring when the bermudagrass is still laying dormant. Plus it is hard to mow.

MrWiseGrass » Blog Archive » Why buy "Perennial Rye" to overseed if "Annual Rye" is cheaper?

[Ponderosa]

You want perennial which is of course more expensive. Annual is the worst grass on earth. It stains everything green that comes near it. Your baby's shoes will be green and it won't come off Your dog's feet will be green. Annual rye clumps in soggy lumps and sticks all over the lawn mower when you try to mow it, so you have to pry it off. Trust me on this. Do not even think about annual grass.

You will have to plant perennial each year. It can't take the heat and will die in summer.

Another pointer. Lay it on quite a bit heavier than the bag says if you want it to look thick and rich.

[HX_Guy]

(orphaned)

And we just had perennial grass seed put down yesterday, can't wait till it sprouts!

[DetroitN8V]

How often and for how long are you guys watering the seeds? I can't remember from last year. I remember it being quite often.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

How often and for how long are you guys watering the seeds? I can't remember from last year. I remember it being quite often.

You gotta keep it damp. It only takes a couple minutes each time but you need to do that often enough to keep the mulch (you did use mulch or, heaven help you, manure) damp. I like the Kellogg seed topper mulch from the Depot.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

You gotta keep it damp. It only takes a couple minutes each time but you need to do that often enough to keep the mulch (you did use mulch or, heaven help you, manure) damp. I like the Kellogg seed topper mulch from the Depot.

My landscaper used manure last year and it was horrible! I'm just going to have him thatch (dethatch?) and scalp this year and I'll lay the seed and topper. I'll take your advice on the Kellogg. Anything will be better than last year's poo yard!

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

My landscaper used manure last year and it was horrible! I'm just going to have him thatch (dethatch?) and scalp this year and I'll lay the seed and topper. I'll take your advice on the Kellogg. Anything will be better than last year's poo yard!

The Kellogg stinks a bit too, but it goes away in a day or two of watering. I think it also has some manure. I noticed that the pros like the ones who do our common area don't use any mulch at all and it seems to come up fine.

[azdr0710]

keep it watered!!....four times a day or so for a few weeks.....it will come up fast if watered enough....might need to touch up here and there with more seed.....will be fragile-appearing at first, but be patient!.....brilliant shade of green!.....we're lucky to be able to do this out here......

[sh9730]

I ll be the lone cheapskate - I ve done both and I don't think the difference in look is worth the difference in price between annual and perennial - and there is NO WAY I am getting the new "all in one" overseeding stuff - even though I would love the ease of it - the price is just outrageous!