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La Crosse Seed Product Tech Sheets
For general Information regarding this species, scroll below the list of tech sheet links.
General Information Concerning Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass seed is bright green, fast growing and prolific; the ryegrasses do much for lawns by adding contrasting color to early spring flowers, trees and shrubs.
Uses: Lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, all general use. Excellent when used in mixes. Ideal in sun and tolerates partial shade.
Growth Habit: Bunch type, tillers
Blade: 2-4 mm., glossy underside, red base at crown
Identification:
A fast growing bunch type grass that spreads by tillers (stems). Leaves are dark green and glossy on the underside, tapered, pointed with a folded vernation (stem). Varieties available both as annuals, intermediates and perennials.
Common Lawn Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Seeding
Seeding Rate:
lbs./1,000 sq. ft.: 5-6
Seeding Info:
Germination: 5-10 days
Seeds/lb.: 270,000
Establishment
Germinates and establishes very quickly. Non spreader, fills by tillers. Popular over-seeder because of quick germ.
Determining How Much Seed and Fertilizer to Buy
Turf Professionals
To estimate the right amount of seed for your professional turf project, view our useful turf coverage areas and metric conversion resource.
Planting or Renovating Your Lawn
Follow these steps for starting a successful lawn.
1. Measure area to be seeded – Total square footage of lot less non-lawn areas such as house, walkways and gardens.
2. Test, don’t guess! – Obtain soil test to identify essential soil needs/amendments (lime, potassium, phosphorus, etc). Add needed amendments per soil test. See attachment for more information on Fertilizer applications: Fertilizer 101.pdf
3. Select appropriate Earth Carpet® mix – Consult with your dealer for the Earth Carpet® mix right for you.
4. Spray out lawn with herbicide containing glyphosate – Follow manufacturer’s directions for proper use!
Continue to New Lawn or Renovation Steps:
New Lawn Steps
5. Rough Grade – Remove golf ball size+ rocks or debris. Lot slope should move downhill from house to lot edge. Level high/low areas.
6. Final Grade – Rake and smooth. Apply a fine mist from hose to soil before seeding. No Puddles should form.
Renovation Steps
5. Scalp lawn down as close as possible – Mow as low as possible without stalling mower. Rake and remove clippings.
6. Core aerate lawn to encourage abundant root growth – Plant new seed no deeper than 1/8 in. with mechanical planting equipment. Equipment should be available for rental in your area.
7. Apply seed evenly in two directions – First north & south then west & east. Use seeding rate appropriate for your mix.
8. Apply starter fertilizer – Important for root development.
9. Roll surface – Use an unfilled lawn roller to firm, but not over pack, the soil surface.
10. Irrigate frequently at least 3 times/day for 6 weeks – Keep top 1/2 in. of soil moist, not soaking. Pay attention that soil does not dry in afternoon heat.
11. Apply 2nd application of starter fertilizer 3 weeks after seeding (CRUCIAL).
12. Begin weekly mowing when at 1½-2 in. – Set height to 1 ½ in. Mowing right after irrigation may hurt seedlings.
13. Raise mowing height to 3-3½ in. after 6 weeks – Never remove more than 1/3 of grass blade at a time.
14. Begin standard fertilization/irrigation programs at 8 weeks – Do not apply weed control products until lawn has been mowed at least 4 times and 8 weeks has passed.
Types
These bunch grasses have two basic types; annual and perennial. Each type is planted as a pure strain or used in mixes depending on the specific lawn use desired. Do not confuse these two kinds as being the same. They are adapted into lawns mainly for their fast growing ability as a cool season grass. Perennial is a permanent lawn choice in cooler climate areas, and annual is seeded yearly and lives for one season.