Rye grass

[skurkp]

I would like to rye my yard, I need some help. What kind of rye and how much? The yard is full shade all year so it will probably last awhile, I don't know.

[chimmygew]

I'm not real good with rye grass, but I know up in my area, the best shade grass is creeping red fescue.

[Grassmechanic]

I would like to rye my yard, I need some help. What kind of rye and how much? The yard is full shade all year so it will probably last awhile, I don't know.
Rye will not tolerate full shade.

[skurkp]

There is some sunlight just not a whole lot. The St. Augustine struggles to do well.

[SprinklerGuy]

Don't think the rye will tolerate your temperatures in Houston either.....you could probably get a bit to hang around in the winter. Summer, no chance.

Dichondra?

[ThreeWide]

The purpose here is to provide Winter color.

Annual grows very quickly and provides a lighter shade of green color. Perennial is a darker green and less agressive with growth. Based on the color, I might think annual would be a better match for St. Augustine.

Whether you use annual or perennial, rye generally will not do very well in the shade. And since it is in the shade, you might have problems transitioning out as the next Summer approaches.

You might do some research regarding which (annual vs. perennial) is more shade tolerant.

[skurkp]

I really don't care how long it stays next summer, really I would like for the yard to look fuller and have more color. I do get fert aps done and pre and post emergent done. The yard just is not real thick in some places and could be more green.

[ThreeWide]

In that case, overseeding with Rye won't help.

Rye actually makes the existing grass weaker due to competition. Unless your existing stand is very healthy, don't overseed.

Concentrate on getting your St. Augustine in better condition next year. Maybe a soil test would be in order.

[skurkp]

Thanks for the info.

[Jpocket]

Go with a mix of annual and perrenial rye, that way you get the benefits of both.

[lilmarvin4064]

Use Intermediate Rye, it is suited specificaly for overseeding warm-season grasses. It is less competetive in the spring; more expensive than annual.