Lawn Care
In Central Texas, you have a choice of varieties to use to give your lawn a lush green cover in the cool months of fall through early spring.
Annual Rye
This inexpensive seed is the most commonly sold type. Advantages are shade tolerance, inexpensive to purchase and easy to grow. Keep in mind that it does grow quickly, so you'll have to mow regularly (at least once a week). Also it will die out in spring when it starts getting hot.
Perennial Rye
Though not usually truly perennial, this type is becoming more popular because it does not grow as quickly so does not require as much mowing. It also tends to have a deeper green color. It's more expensive than annual rye.
Dwarf Type Tall Fescue
The name sounds funny, but this grass is becoming more popular, because with adequate moisture and shade, it can often live year round. It too, has a deeper green color than annual rye and requires less mowing since it is a dwarf-growing variety.
Steps To Over-Seeding Your Lawn
- Clean up any trash, debris on your existing turf and then mow your lawn to about one inch.
- Rake the lawn to remove clippings (keep them for use later), then apply 3-5 pound of a good organic fertilizer per 1000 sq feet.
- Rake or rough the surface of the soil especially on compacted or bare spots (you want good soil contact, on soft soil).
- Spread your seed with a drop spreader or hand-cranked spreader. Visually inspect all areas and sprinkle by hand to areas that need it (esp. bare spots).
- Sprinkle your grass clippings (or peat moss) over the seed to cover it. This helps to hide the seed from hungry pigeons and helps to hold the moisture around the seed.
- Water the area lightly, twice a day. The idea is to keep the seed moist, not to wash it away.
When seedlings reach a height of 2-3 inches, mow to a height of 1 1/2" with a sharp mower when grass is not wet.
