How to Plant a Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, is one of two species of ryegrass grown as lawn in the United States. This cool-season grass stands up to high traffic levels and aids in weed suppression through its rapid emergence once planted. Rich, green perennial ryegrass features tapered leaf blades and is fine in texture. Plant perennial ryegrass by overseeding an existing lawn in the fall, in a sunny, drought-free location that experiences moderate temperatures.

Rake
Mower
Nitrogen fertilizer
Lawn spreader

Instructions

- 1
  Mow the lawn to a 1-inch height.
- 2
  De-thatch the area by raking it to dislodge and remove extensive thatching of existing lawn cover. This will also pick up cuttings from the lawn's recent mowing.
- 3
  Apply fertilizer to the area. Use 1/2 lb. of nitrogen for each 1,000 square feet of space.
- 4
  Add perennial ryegrass to your lawn spreader. Calibrate the spreader's output to 3 to 4 1/2 lbs. of seed per 1,000 square feet, following the spreader manufacturer's directions.
- 5
  Push the spreader across your lawn, spreading seed in one direction, then apply grass seed to the next row in a parallel direction. Cover the entire area in this manner.
- 6
  Push the spreader across the lawn again, this time in a direction perpendicular to the first application. Cover the entire area.
- 7
  Rake the ground again to make sure the seed comes in contact with the soil.
- 8
  Water the overseeded lawn lightly several times per day until the perennial ryegrass seeds germinate. Keep the seedbed moist, but do not overwater, as this may cause the seeds to wash away.

The Best Drought-Resistant Grass

Planting Time for Orchard Grass

Lawn Planting