Annual ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a valuable, rapidly growing cover crop. It aids in breaking up hard soils, better allowing roots to absorb nitrogen. So, what is perennial ryegrass used for? Read on to learn more.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lolium perenne, common name perennial ryegrass, English ryegrass, winter ryegrass, or ray grass, is a grass from the family Poaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but is widely cultivated and naturalised around the world.
The plant is a low-growing, tufted, hairless grass, with a bunching (or tillering) growth habit. The leaves are dark green, smooth and glossy on the lower surface, with untoothed parallel sides and prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. The leaves are folded lengthwise in bud (unlike the rolled leaves of Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum) with a strong central keel, giving a flattened appearance. The ligule is very short and truncated and often difficult to see. The small white auricles grip the stem at the base of the leaf blade. Leaf sheaths at the base are usually tinged pink and hairless. Stems grow up to 90 cm.
The inflorescence is unbranched, with spikelets on alternating sides edgeways-on to the stem. Each spikelet has only a single glume, on the side away from the stem, and between four and 14 florets without awns, unlike Italian ryegrass. The anthers are pale yellow, and the plant flowers from May to November. Perennial ryegrass has a fibrous root system, with thick main roots and thinner lateral branches. Roots are usually arbuscular mycorrhizal.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The perennial ryegrass thrives in full sun or partial shade, but it can’t grow in complete shade. If your lawn is shaded, make sure it receives at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. For best results, aim for 6-8 hours of sunlight. If you have a tree that’s casting too much shade, consider pruning it to allow more light to reach your lawn.
Temperature and Humidity
Perennial ryegrass thrives in temperatures ranging from 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s generally not ideal for regions that experience severe heat or cold. If you live in a hot climate, consider planting a warm-season grass instead.
Additionally, high humidity can make the grass susceptible to disease. If you live in a humid climate, make sure to water your lawn in the morning and avoid watering at night, as this can create a moist environment that’s perfect for fungal growth.
Watering
Perennial ryegrass requires frequent watering, especially in the hot and dry summer months. Water your lawn in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation and make sure it gets an inch of water per week. If you live in an area with water restrictions, consider using a drip irrigation system to conserve water.
It’s important to avoid overwatering your lawn, as this can lead to shallow roots and make the grass more susceptible to disease and pests. You can tell if your lawn needs water by walking on it – if the blades don’t spring back up, it’s time to water.
Soil
The soil must be well-drained, fertile, and moist. It should not be too acidic or alkaline. For optimal growth, aim for a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Test your soil and amend it with compost, lime, or sulfur as necessary to achieve the best results. If your soil is compacted, consider aerating it to improve drainage and allow air to reach the roots.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring or fall. Supplementing with additional nitrogen is also helpful, but avoid overdoing it, as this can lead to damage. Too much fertilizer can make the grass less resilient, and it can become more vulnerable to disease and pests.
It’s important to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and apply it evenly to your lawn. You can also consider using organic fertilizers, such as compost or bone meal, to improve soil health and promote healthy grass growth.
Mowing
Maintain a height of 2-3 inches for your ryegrass. Mow your lawn when the height exceeds 3 inches, but never remove more than one-third of the grass height at any time. This will help prevent stress on the grass and encourage healthy growth.
Recommend maintaining a height between 1.5 to 2.5 inches, with 2-3 inches being ideal for most lawns. Mowing at this height promotes a denser and healthier grass stand. It’s important to mow regularly, but avoid scalping by not removing more than a third of the grass blade at any one time.
It’s also important to keep your mower blades sharp, as dull blades can tear the grass and make it more vulnerable to disease. Consider using a mulching mower, which will chop up the grass clippings and return the nutrients to the soil.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your perennial ryegrass lawn stays healthy and vibrant throughout the year. With the right care, your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood!
Planting Instructions
- Choosing the Right Time
The best time to plant perennial ryegrass is in the early fall or spring when the soil temperature is between 50-65°F. This allows the seeds to germinate quickly and establish a strong root system before the heat of summer or cold of winter sets in.
- Site Preparation
Before planting, it’s important to prepare the site properly to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and adequate drainage. Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the area and till the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches. If the soil is compacted, consider aerating it to improve drainage and air circulation.
- Seed Selection
Choose a high-quality perennial ryegrass seed that is free of weed seeds and other contaminants. Look for a blend that is specifically formulated for your region and climate. This will ensure that the grass is adapted to your local growing conditions and will perform well.
When establishing a perennial ryegrass lawn, I always begin with selecting high-quality seed mixtures containing at least 3 varieties of perennial ryegrass, ensuring a high percentage of pure live seed. Seeding can be done in late summer or early fall when vibrant growth is expected.
If I need to overseed a dormant Bermuda grass lawn or fill in existing spaces, I apply 10 to 20 pounds of perennial ryegrass seed per 1,000 square feet for a thick cover.
- Planting
After preparing the site and selecting the seed, it’s time to plant! Spread the seed evenly over the soil using a seed spreader or by hand. Aim for a seeding rate of 8-10 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Rake the seed into the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, or cover it with a thin layer of straw, peat moss, or mulch. This will help retain moisture and prevent the seeds from washing away during watering or heavy rains.
- Watering and Fertilizing
After planting, water the area gently using a sprinkler or hose with a fine spray attachment. Keep the soil moist but not saturated, and water daily until the seeds germinate. Once the grass is established, reduce watering to once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. Fertilize the grass with a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and fall to promote healthy growth and color.
- Maintenance
Perennial ryegrass requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Mow the grass when it reaches a height of 3-4 inches, being careful not to remove more than a quarter of the height at a time. This will encourage dense growth and prevent scalping. Aerate the soil once a year to improve drainage and air circulation, and overseed any thin or bare spots in the fall or spring.
By following these tips, you can successfully plant and grow a lush, healthy lawn of perennial ryegrass. Enjoy the beauty and benefits of this cool-season grass for years to come!
Weed Control
Managing weeds in a perennial ryegrass lawn can be achieved through cultural practices and targeted herbicide applications.
If weeds are a problem in your lawn, use a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Personally, I recommend using mulch in garden beds and around trees to prevent weeds from invading the lawn.
Also, remember to regularly hand-pull or spot treat weeds as they appear. And apply a pre-emergent herbicide before weed seeds germinate to prevent weed growth.
Pests and Diseases
Perennial ryegrass is known to have some natural resistance to pests and diseases, thanks to the presence of endophytes. However, it can still suffer from leaf spot disease and some occasional pests such as armyworm, cutworm, and grubs.
Armyworms are insect larvae that feed on the grass blades, leaving behind brown patches. They are most active in the summer months, when temperatures are warm and rainfall is low. Armyworm infestations can be controlled by mowing the grass regularly, applying insecticides, and ensuring that the lawn is well-watered and fertilized.
Another pest to keep an eye out for are cutworms. These are caterpillars that cut the grass blades at the base, causing bare patches. They are most active in the spring and fall months, when temperatures are cool and moisture levels are high.
Grubs can also feed on the roots of the grass, causing bald patches. They are most active in the summer and fall months, when temperatures are warm and rainfall is high.
Perennial ryegrass can also be affected by a fungal disease known as red thread. It causes reddish-pink patches on the grass blades and usually occurs in humid and poorly drained soils.
Red thread is most common in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and moisture levels are high. The disease can be controlled by improving soil drainage, reducing thatch buildup, and applying fungicides.
III. Uses and Benefits
There are a number of benefits to planting perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass uses extend from using it as a pasture grass or as sod for the home lawn. It is considered the best cool season perennial pasture grass in many areas.
Planting perennial ryegrass for pasture has many benefits. It establishes rapidly, is high yielding with a long growing season, is highly nutritious, recovers well from grazing, and tolerates traffic. This perennial grass is highly digestible for ruminants and is valuable not only as pasture but as hay and silage as well.
Perennial ryegrass is also used for home lawns and other areas requiring attractive turf such as golf course fairways and tees or baseball fields. It wears well, germinates rapidly, and maintains a lush appearance. Other perennial ryegrass information states that it has the highest wear tolerance of all the cool season grasses and is forgiving of very high traffic, making it perfect for use around schools and in park settings.
All the above perennial ryegrass information lends it as the perfect candidate for overseeding winter dormant lawns and its rapid growth aids in weed suppression.
