Overseeding Bermuda Grass

The choice of grass varieties for overseeding influences cost texture color time required for a complete cover cold tolerance wear tolerance and to some degree spring transition.

Overseeding bermuda grass. Sow 6 8 pounds of annual ryegrass per 1000 square feet and broadcast a complete lawn fertilizer than contains a slow release form of nitrogen if you have not done so already. Overseeding with ryegrass does have drawbacks. But as for the success of the overseeding program the choice of grass varieties is secondary to seedbed preparation. Step 1 mow the bermuda grass to 1 1 2 to 2 inches tall.

The cool bluish fescue will perk up the bare spots left by the summer bermuda grass. Always overseed with the exact same variety for uniformity. The annual ritual of converting all forms of bermudagrass and other warm weather lawns to a winter hardy grass will soon be in full swing throughout the desert areas of arizona. This timing is appropriate for most warm season turfgrasses because it is the best for optimum growth of grass seed due to the favorable soil temperature.

The grass competes with the bermuda for nutrients in the spring. Many golf and sports turf managers as well as home owners and sports field managers are faced with drastic reductions in survival and re establishment of their permanent bermuda bases after winter ryegrass overseeding. I recommend a starting point for overseeding with ryegrass about 30 days before the typical first frost date in your area. If overseeding seems right for you now is the time to start getting ready.

In the case of bermuda grass this is done to increase a stand density of bermuda sod and to try and help reduce or eliminate weeds. The best time to overseed a bermuda grass lawn is during spring. Turfgrass managers in the southern united states generally plan and budget each year to add additional bermuda grass seed or sprigs to. Many times the purpose of planting bermuda grass seed is to improve the existing stand of bermudagrass.

To improve an existing bermuda grass lawn. Overseeding existing lawns with bermuda grass. The short grass will allow sunlight reach the new fescue seed. Prepare the lawn before seeding by mowing your bermuda grass about 1 inch and by raking the lawn vigorously with a metal tined rake.

The conversion process is fairly easy to do as long as a few simple rules are followed. To make the switch as the weather cools down overseed the bermuda grass with the fescue. For more information see clemson university s overseeding with ryegrass.