Why Perennial Rye Grass

Growth Habits

• Perennial rye grass is a good choice for establishing a lawn because it is one of the quickest germinating of all the grasses. Perennial rye grass germinates in 10 to 14 days, under normal conditions. Its ability to establish quickly makes it good for over-seeding dormant lawns in warm-area winters. Another benefit is its ability to choke off weeks quickly by germinating at a rapid rate. Also, it doesn't require a lot of digging and tilling to plant; instead, perennial rye grass is easy to sow by just scattering it around the lawn by hand.

Adaptability

• Perennial rye grass can thrive under various conditions. Although it prefers plenty of sun, it can also grow in a partially shaded area. Its ability to take root quickly makes it a good choice for covering slopes and as a general ground cover. Since perennial rye grass is so versatile you can combine it with other types of grass seed to help fill out problem areas.

Appearance

• The bright green color of perennial rye grass helps create an attractive lawn. Its color contrasts nicely with early spring flowers, trees and shrubs. Perennial rye grass also produces an attractive green color in the winter months, when you over-seed it on a lawn in a warm-weather area. Although it will die in the subsequent summer heat, the perennial rye grass temporarily keeps the lawn looking green until the warm-weather grass is no longer dormant.

Durability

• Perennial rye grass is well-known as a strong, cool-weather grass that tolerates lots of foot traffic because it forms a thick turf with strong roots. For this reason, it's common on school grounds and other areas that get lots of use, such as sports fields and parks. As an added benefit, it's also highly resistant to diseases and attacks by insects.