Perennial Ryegrass Seed Lolium Perenne
So if you want to grow an attractive lawn with tough and adaptable grass, perennial ryegrass is worth considering.
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Rye Grass
Reason #1: Perennial Ryegrass Helps With Weed Prevention
Weeds are one thing that every property owner wants to avoid. They compete with healthy grass for air, water, and nutrients. Plus, they’re an unattractive sight on an otherwise well-manicured lawn!
Ryegrass is one of the fastest-growing grass species. It has deep, fibrous roots that successfully choke out most weeds, including some of the most common types in the United States, like duckweed and crabgrass.
Reason #2: Perennial Ryegrass Improves Soil Conditions
Because of its deeper root growth (the roots can reach three to four feet!), perennial ryegrass can push through the densest layer of soil, the hardpan layer, which sits about 16 inches below the surface.
Normally, the hardpan layer can be problematic because it’s so rocky and dense. The thick, hard consistency usually stops other plants from growing to their full potential.
It also prevents internal drainage of the soil, causing the space between the soil particles that would otherwise fill with air to fill with water. Poor soil drainage can lead to root rot and dying plants.
But perennial ryegrass can reach through this hard layer and break up the dense clay-like soils to allow for better aeration and water infiltration, enhanced water-holding capacity, and improved irrigation efficiency within the ground.
In other words, deeper roots equal healthier soil!
Reason #3: Perennial Ryegrass Prevents Erosion
Perennial ryegrass has a robust root system that reaches deep depths and stays shallow, keeping the fertile topsoil stable so it can’t be washed or blown away.
This loss of fertile topsoil is called soil erosion, a global phenomenon that occurs when strong winds or water displace soil. And, it’s a major problem.
Because of soil erosion, we lose 24 billion tonnes of fertile land in the United States every year. Erosion is a significant threat to the world’s farmlands: The more fertile soil that gets displaced, the less land there is to grow food crops, which means less food for everybody.
Studies have found that ryegrass slopes reduce soil erosion by 64 to 93% and the sediment transport rate by 81 to 96%. Ryegrass acts as a barrier for sensitive topsoil by protecting it against wind and rain, the most common culprits of soil erosion and sediment displacement.Â
Your Lawn
Is It Right You?
Perennial ryegrass is one of the most popular turfgrasses in the country. It can grow just about anywhere and offers fast germination. With a bright green color and medium-coarse blades that are ideal for high-traffic areas, it’s excellent for most home lawns.
But before you make any decisions, do some research first to ensure this grass seed is a good fit for your lawn. Perennial ryegrass might work well on your property if:
- You have a lot of foot traffic from children and pets (also perfect for athletic fields and golf courses)
- You receive frequent rain or have a sprinkler system
- Your lawn is partially shady or has full sun
- You need a turfgrass that can help with weed control
However, perennial ryegrass might not thrive on your lawn if:
- You want to blend it with other grasses since it stunts other species
- You want low water-maintenance
- You have a full-sun yard (unless you have a sprinkler system)
- You don’t want to treat your lawn for bacteria and viruses
Growth Habit and Conditions for Perennial Ryegrass Seed
| Soil Type |
Seeding Rate |
Planting Depth | Planting Date | Shade & Sun Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Disease & Pest Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A pH of 5.5 to 7.5; prefers well-drained loam or sandy loam soils but establishes in many soil types, including rocky and poor soils | 10 lbs/1000ft² | When planting with a drill, the ideal seeding depth is ¼ inch or less; do not exceed ½ inch | Early fall because it is a cool-season grass, and you will see growth in early spring to late spring | Prefers full sun but will brown without enough watering; it can do well in partial shade as long as it gets 4-5 hours of sun daily | Little tolerance to drought because the seeds require 1 inch of water every 10 to 14 days in the North and once a week in the South | Perennial rye is highly resistant to common diseases such as crown, leaf, and stem rust; also immune to many weed killers |
Perennial