Perennial Ryegrass Culture

Cultural Requirements

• Perennial ryegrass grows well in areas with temperate weather and tropical and subtropical highlands. The grass has poor tolerance for alkaline and wet soil and drought. Though the grass regenerates rapidly, it is easily damaged by frost. Perennial ryegrass grows well in areas of full sun and has moderate shade tolerance.

Description

• The grass has a fine texture and is dark green in color. Grass blades have grooved upper sides and glossy, smooth undersides. Perennial ryegrass blooms during May and June and spreads with above-ground stolons. The grass has a mature height of about 1 to 2 feet.

Uses

• In his 1998 book "Energy Plant Species," Nasir El Bassam cites the primary use of perennial ryegrass as a feed crop. Recommended planting time for the crop is at the end of summer or the beginning of fall. Due to its superior wear and traffic tolerance, the fast-germinating grass is used as turf in parks, school and homes.