Question
QUESTION: We built a house in Aug 08, tilling the back yard and planting  rye grass for an initial support until we can figure out what to plant permanently this Spring (any suggestions? We are in South Carolina). We added minimal fertilizer, peat moss, and covered with netting to allow for protected growth. Like clock work, it grew in beautifully and thick. Since then, we've noticed some yellowing areas that eventually die. Oddly, after walking on the grass, it weakly lays down and the corresponding area seems to die. In other areas, it's just losing it's color and strength. We've added more seed to fill in, and just as before, it initially grows in great. We do have deer in the area, and have heard they could be eating the grass and their feces could kill the grass. Additionally, we are sending a soil sample off to gain further insight as to the status of our soil. Thanks for any help!

ANSWER: What type of Ryegrass did you plant? There are two types and they could not be more different.

Perennial Ryegrass is a decent lawn grass, but is definitely suited to cooler climates than S.C. It'll have a tough time down there.

Annual Ryegrass is even worse. It grows in nicely, then dies. That's it. It is an annual plant, and cannot survive a full season.

I'd definitely recommend getting a heartier warm season grass like Bermudagrass as soon as possible.

Good luck!
-C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com

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QUESTION: Much thanks for your feedback. I am pretty certain we used the annual with the thoughts that we would plant something else this Spring. We are considering Bermuda as we have Bermuda sod in the front/sides of the house, although hear it's not a good traffic grass (dogs, kids, etc). Can we just over seed the new grass type,  or would we need to clean away the rye and start new? (maybe after a custom fertilizer from the soil sample results we get back) Thanks again for your help!

Answer
You do not need to scrape away the Ryegrass, as it will break down on its own. You certainly can seed the Bermuda, though sod is preferable. If you seed, use a core aerator and punch holes throughout the yard. Then spread some see evenly throughout and water daily.


-C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com