Question on overseeding - which seed?

17 years ago

My current lawn is a mix of mainly perennial rye and fescues. I started my organic program the end of June, and while I have only put down one application of alfalfa so far, I have been watering 1x per week deeply and cutting high. One thing I've noticed up here in Canada is that packaging on grass rarely lists more than "perennial ryegrass" (if that), for example, much less any kind of cultivar.

I will be overseeding this fall and have looked at two different seeds available near me. The first is Scott's Pure Premium, and lists KBG, Perennial Rye and Fescues as the grass mix (no cultivar names, and no noxious weed percentages).

The second seed is one I used in the back yard with quite a bit of success this spring (before I learned that seeding in the fall is better). It is a local brand, but lists Perennial Rye (4200) as the type of grass (not mixed with fescues or anything else). Again, no analysis like that found on American packaging (i.e. no noxious weed percentages).

My front yard gets mostly sun, but there is some shady area closer to the house (it is on the north side of the house). I would also like something that holds up to some traffic, as we have to walk across the grass to get to the back yard (as well, our post lady cuts across the grass).

Any ideas on which I should choose? I've heard that Perennial Rye is better for high traffic, but also that a mix might be better to help ward off problems. I've also heard, though, that KBG doesn't do well in our wet climate (we are comparable to the Pacific Northwest, with maybe a bit more snow in the winter). Maybe the perennial rye is the best way to go?

Thanks. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

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Comments (5)

dchall_san_antonio
17 years ago
I have heard that perennial rye is very common in your area. I can't help you much with seed selection other than to say that you want something with 0.00% Other Crop and 0.00% Weed Seed. You will pay extra for higher quality seed and you probably won't find them at Walmart.

I was in SoCal last week near a sod farm. I watched it as it grew between mowings and there were a LOT of weeds in it. I found that interesting.
Kimmsr
17 years ago
If you seek out a locally owned store with grass seed you can find grass seed not in mixtures as you do find at the big box stores. Several of the locally owned nurseries around here have just Perennial Rye, just the various species of Kentucky Blue Grass, just the various fescues as well as mixtures.
Since most all grasses will spread if they are growing in an environment that is conducive to good growth overseeding is not a necesary thing to do, anyway.
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bpgreen
17 years ago
Perennial rye is probably the best choice for your damp climate.

As you probably already know, unlike KBG, perennial rye is a bunch grass and doesn't spread. As a result, it probably will need to be overseeded periodically to keep the lawn thick. On the bright side, it germinates very quickly, so the new seedlings will fill in the bare spots very quickly.
freyja5
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all your thoughts. It looks like Perennial rye is the favourite. Luckily that is one that I can find at our local nursery.

bpgreen, yes, I've had some small bare patches for quite some time now (where I dug weeds out last year), so I figured whatever grass I have is pretty much a "non-spreader". Since I haven't overseeded properly for several years, I think it is time to do so and thicken things up. Hopefully, with my continued organic program, I'll start to get one of those environments conducive to good growth (: Looking forward to it!

By the way, everyone here is so helpful. I really appreciate all your help. Thank you.
Kimmsr
17 years ago
The Perennial Rye I have growing in my yard does not form clumps, although the crown could maybe be mistaken for a clump.