Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Plant Bermuda With Rye Grass

Luxury Pool in Arizona
lavi37/iStock/Getty Images

Growing in hot summer temperatures and tolerant of foot traffic, perennial Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is green from spring to fall but goes brown and dormant in winter. It's hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Restore a green winter lawn by overseeding Bermuda grass with rye grasses (Lolium spp.), which grow well in cool weather.

Annual Rye Grass

Two kinds of rye grass are available for overseeding. Annual rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) is hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, but it grows as an annual almost anywhere. It dies naturally at the end of winter. It presents a rather coarse texture and is light green.

  • Growing in hot summer temperatures and tolerant of foot traffic, perennial Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is green from spring to fall but goes brown and dormant in winter.
  • Annual rye grass** (Lolium multiflorum) is hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, but it grows as an annual almost anywhere.

Perennial Rye Grass

Perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne, USDA zones 5 through 7) grows as an annual in mild winter climates. It can't withstand high temperatures and dies in hot summers. In cooler summer areas, it may linger on and pose a problem to the permanent turfgrass. Perennial ryegrass is darker green and finer textured than annual ryegrass but is more expensive.

Timing the Job

Rye grass needs enough warm weather to germinate well and to start vigorous growth before winter's cold sets in. A general guideline is to reseed 30 days before the first frost, with daytime high temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows are above 50 degrees F. This will vary by geography, however.

Geographical Area Variations

In desert areas of Arizona, for instance, the University of Arizona Extension recommends reseeding around Oct. 1, when temperatures can still be in the 90s and the first frost is usually in late November. In Mississippi, Mississippi State University Extension reseeding time goes from Oct. 20 to the end of November. In North Carolina, Clemson University Extension identifies reseeding time in the upstate region around mid-September and for the midland and coastal areas, late September.

  • Perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne, USDA zones 5 through 7) grows as an annual in mild winter climates.
  • A general guideline is to reseed 30 days before the first frost, with daytime high temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows are above 50 degrees F. This will vary by geography, however.

Site Preparation

Before sowing rye grass seed, cut back the existing Bermuda grass close to ground level. Remove all the grass clippings, either in a mower grass catcher or by raking it up. You may have to dethatch the lawn. If that's needed, do it 30 days in advance of seeding. The rye seed has to be able to contact the soil between the stems of existing lawn grass.

Reseeding Operation

To apply rye grass seed, broadcast the seed evenly by hand or use a lawn seeder. Overlap the areas of seed application to get even coverage. Sow seeds at the rate of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Cover the seeded area with a thin layer of organic mulch such as aged manure or aged compost. This helps keep the seeds moist between waterings and helps hide the seeds from hungry birds.

  • Before sowing rye grass seed, cut back the existing Bermuda grass close to ground level.
  • Sow seeds at the rate of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.
  • Cover the seeded area with a thin layer of organic mulch such as aged manure or aged compost.

Watering Seeds

Water the seeded area lightly several times a day, especially during hottest times. The seeds need to be kept moist at all times for germination to occur. If the seeds dry out, they die. Ordinarily, annual rye germinates in about seven days. After the seeds germinate and you can see new green growth throughout the area, space watering every day or every other day, depending on the weather.

Rye Grass Care

You can mow the new grass when it's about 2 to 3 inches tall, removing the clippings from the first mowing. Thereafter, mow the grass at about 1 1/2 to 2 inches above the ground when grass is 1 inch above that level. Fertilize after the second mowing, applying about 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of granular 16-4-8. Reapply the fertilizer in late winter or early spring. Water the grass sufficiently to keep it from wilting. Excess moisture can encourage development of fungus disease.

  • Water the seeded area lightly several times a day, especially during hottest times.
  • You can mow the new grass when it's about 2 to 3 inches tall, removing the clippings from the first mowing.

Transitioning Back

Stop fertilizing in March to discourage rye grass growth into the time the Bermuda grass starts growing again. When nighttime lows begin to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, usually in late spring or early summer, again cut back the lawn close to ground level. Although the rye grass normally dies back with the arrival of summer heat in mild winter areas, this gets it out of the way so the Bermuda grass gets good light.

Related Articles

How to Plant Annual Winter Rye Grass
How to Plant Annual Winter Rye Grass
How to Get Rid of Poa Annua Grass
How to Get Rid of Poa Annua Grass
How to Grow Bermuda Grass From Seed
How to Grow Bermuda Grass From Seed
Problem Grass Types
Problem Grass Types
When to Plant Grass Seed in West Virginia
When to Plant Grass Seed in West Virginia
Which Grass Seed Is to Grow Dark Green Grass?
Which Grass Seed Is to Grow Dark Green Grass?
How to Make Zoysia Grass Look Incredible
How to Make Zoysia Grass Look Incredible
Types of Grass in the Northeast
Types of Grass in the Northeast
The Best Time to Grow Grass in New Jersey
The Best Time to Grow Grass in New Jersey
How to Stop Chickens From Eating Grass Seed
How to Stop Chickens From Eating Grass Seed
The Best Grass Seeds for Shady Wet Areas
The Best Grass Seeds for Shady Wet Areas
When to Plant Bahia Grass Seed
When to Plant Bahia Grass Seed
The Best Grass Seeds for Connecticut
The Best Grass Seeds for Connecticut
Garden Guides
×