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How to Plant Winter Rye Grass in California

Winter rye grass, also known as annual or Italian rye grass, is most frequently used to provide grass cover for bare spots in a lawn or to keep the lawn green during the late fall, winter and early spring months. Many grasses go dormant during this period, but winter rye will stay green year-round. Much of California's climate is excellent for winter rye grass because of its mild winters and somewhat sparse rainfall. Rye will rot in some places with too much rain and will die in areas with bitterly cold winters.

Things You'll Need

  • Aerator
  • Seed sprayer
  • 10 to 12 lbs. winter rye grass seed per 1,000 sqare feet
  • 5 lbs. lawn fertilizer (such as 18-6-12) per 1,000 square feet
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Instructions

  1. Overseeding

    • 1

      Aerate the lawn 30 days prior to the average frost date in your area.

    • 2

      Mow the lawn as far down as your mower will go without damaging the grass. Avoid mowing St. Augustine or Bermuda grass very low. Doing this will improve seed contact with the soil.

    • 3

      Overseed the lawn with 10 to 12 pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet. Use a seed sprayer to ensure even distribution of seed. Alternatively, divide the seed into two portions and hand-distribute the first portion in a consistent direction (east to west, for example). Distribute the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the first.

    • 4

      Fertilize the over-seeded area with 5 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn immediately after the seed has been scattered.

    • 5

      Water the lawn lightly twice a day. When seedlings emerge, reduce the frequency of watering. Fertilize the lawn every three weeks with 2 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet.

    Seeding Bare Soil

    • 6

      Till the soil at least 6 inches deep. Add 5 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Water the lawn lightly with water. This will encourage the seed to adhere to the soil.

    • 7

      Use a seed sprayer to distribute the seed at a rate of 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

    • 8

      Cover the seed with 1/2 inch of soil with the rake. Do not to cover the seed with too much soil, as this will prevent germination

    • 9

      Water the seed immediately after planting. Water lightly twice a day until the seeds have germinated, and then reduce frequency.

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Lawn Planting
  1. How to Plant Grass Seed by Hand
  2. How to Plant Fescue & Rye Together
  3. How to Plant Bermuda Seed
  4. How to Plant Grass in November
  5. How to Plant Ornamental Grass Seed
  6. How Do I Plant Lawn Grass Seed in Central Ohio?
  7. How to Plant Grass Seed in Georgia
  8. How to Slit Seed a Lawn
  9. How to Plant Fescue Grass Seed Information
  10. How to Plant Rye Seed
  11. How to Plant Grass Seed in the Winter
  12. How to Plant Annual Winter Rye Grass

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