Need to put down grass seed in backyard - bermuda, or any chance of fescue?

[Ellen Pitts]

I think I might do the same thing...we have exactly the same problem. Does anyone know if I can use pine straw as a cover while it is germinating instead of wheat straw? We have an awful lot in the back yard. I could just rake it up, throw down the seed and spread it back over. Is that a crazy idea? Would it smother the seedlings?

[wheelsup]

Pine is very acidic. If you do use pine straw also smother with lime IMO. You can purchase lime very cheaply from home centers.

The best way to get fescue to be strong is a nice thick layer of good top soil. You'll want at least 4" if not more. Most builders bring in an inch or so or even worse just use sod, and that leaves fescue attempting to struggle through our ridiculously hard clay soil. The roots won't go down very deep and the summer heat (if it ever gets here) will burn it quickly. No variety of fescue will survive 90* temps with little water in direct sun for 8 hours a day.

You can always put down Bermuda seed (common) and fescue at the same time. Nothing wrong with that.

[NM posts]

This is all really helpful. I do need to get some sod too - that's a good point. The spot where my dog lands after launching herself from my deck will never sustain seedlings (stairs? What are stairs?)

[lancers]

The builder put a Bermuda sod lawn down for me last year when I moved in. I am very happy about the way it took but I have a distinct feeling that I will only get to see what is a nice lawn the color of green for half the year.

Go for fescue it will be green for 8 months a year easy if you take care of it.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by lancers

The builder put a Bermuda sod lawn down for me last year when I moved in. I am very happy about the way it took but I have a distinct feeling that I will only get to see what is a nice lawn the color of green for half the year.

Go for fescue it will be green for 8 months a year easy if you take care of it.

Bermuda can and is over seeded in the fall with perennial rye. Don't use annual rye, yes it's cheap but looks horrendous.

This way you can have a green lawn most of the year.

[carcrazy67]

I put down fescue sod last fall and can tell you it is a lot of work to do properly (if you are doing it yourself). You need good uncompacted topsoil (several inches deep), the proper soil ph and adequate sun. It looked really good in the fall. Ask me in a few months or the middle of summer if it was worth it!

[MarkCanWrite]

There are now types of Zoysia you can grow from seed, but doing it with sod is still far easier. After three failed attempts to grow fescue, I finally gave in and got some Zoysia sod in last spring. It loves the hot weather of summer, unlike fescue which is on life support the whole time. If you have your heart set on fescue, it's normally planted in the fall as it's a cool-season grass. If your yard is already prepared, you can put down annual ryegrass to get you through summer.

[lancers]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Bermuda can and is over seeded in the fall with perennial rye. Don't use annual rye, yes it's cheap but looks horrendous.

This way you can have a green lawn most of the year.

Thanks I will check that out.

[introspective]

Fescue requires a bit too much maintenance, in my opinion.

I'll probably replace the fescue with zoysia sometime soon. Zoysia requires less upkeep since it takes time to grow. It will turn brown in the winter, so it may not be every homeowner's cup of tea.

http://www.supersod.com/brochures/Tu...tion_Chart.pdf