It is getting dull looking outside now so it is time to give the place that winter time "boost" with a large shot of annual rye grass seed. There is nothing like the bright, primary green color that this grass gives to a yard in the deep south. Even the Highway department uses it on the sides of the state highways and interstates. Much safer than dry grass which can catch fire from a cars passengers throwing lit cigarettes out their car windows.
Yesterday, right before the rain started, I went out and began spreading the first 100 lbs. Of annual rye grass seed around the pond and driveway. I also sow it in all my pots that aren't already filled with colorful pansies. We will be sowing four hundred more pounds before we are finished. It's cheap and the bang you get for your buck on this stuff is well worth it. Winter flies by when you have a green lawn and colorful flowers blooming throughout. One year we skipped sowing the annual rye grass and pansies due to other issues that were more important at the time and winter seemed to never end. NEVER AGAIN!
If you live below the Mason-Dixon line...Give annual rye grass a try. It's very inexpensive and well worth the short time it takes to sow and germinate. (must faster germination than perennial grass seed) 3-5 days and you're on your way to a beautiful lawn. You can keep it cut if you like, but we just let it grow till it falls over on itself. It is like walking on satin and you have that wonderful "new mown grass" scent all winter.
Some more reasons for planting annual rye grass is it is a wonderful cover crop and will decompose as soon as the hot weather begins, adding tilth and nutrients to your soils. Great to use in fallow raised or flat beds, flower pots and baskets that you don't intend to plant over the winter. Give it a try! Later gator...
