In order to achieve this state of perfection in turf grass, one must put forth the effort to ensure that every measure is taken to create the ultimate environment for turf to thrive. In this particular case, we examine the importance of
over-seeding to obtain a healthy, long lasting turf.

Over-seeding warm season turf with perennial rye seed and planting and maintaining cool season grasses are the most common ways of achieving a year-round green. The optimum time to over seed is short. Rye grass growth can be inhibited in the midst of Bermuda if it’s over-seeded to soon. Over-seeding late, may not allow seed enough time to germinate full thus decreasing optimum, growth.

Irrigation must be adjusted to accommodate the growing seed. The goal is to keep the soil moist during germinating. This calls for adjusting irrigation so that short cycles, occurring frequently, enable soil to remain moist without over watering, or causing standing water, and the chance of seeds being washed away knowing exactly what type of soil is present is the key to when and how often one should water.

Bermuda grass is generally over-seeded with rye. Annual and perennial grasses germinate quickly and result in immediate turfs, which should be over seeded in mid October.

Often sold as a blend, perennial seed is more expensive than annual but one does not need to use as much. It also grows and looks better than a annual and it easier to mow Perennial Rye also has definite characteristics that are easily identifiable. The underside of the leaf blades of perennial rye are shiny and fairly smooth. Ribbing located on the leaf surface is also readily noticeable. Reel type mowers are best adapted for cutting this type of turf.

Annual seed on the other hand produces a turf contains large amounts of moisture. Mowers tend to get clogged cutting this type of turf it is lighter in color that perennial and has a wider leaf blade. A reel mower should never be utilized to cut this type of turf it should be cut two to three inches using a rotary type mower.

What one should never do is mix these two types of grass. The resulting mixture is a turf with an extremely ”weedy“ look, producing great variations in color, texture and uniformity.

Both annual Rye and Perennial can be used to over seed Bermuda with equally satisfactory results. Researchers have developed a new type of grass that is a cross between annual rye grass and perennial ryegrass, it is called Lolium hybridism. The main objective of the production of this hybrid was to produce a seed that would mirror the qualities of both rye and perennial, facilitate the transition into spring and then again to Bermuda in summer.

For a consistently attractive turf, over-seeding should not be an option, but a requirement. Choosing which type of turf seed will best compliment your landscape is the first step to a healthy and lush turf.