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Australian OwnedPerennial Ryegrass is a popular cool-season turf choice in cooler climates worldwide. With its deep, dark green blades and high tolerance to shade, it adds beauty to any suitable backyard. In this guide, we will explore the characteristics of Perennial Ryegrass, including its appearance, suitability for lawns, planting considerations, maintenance requirements, and longevity.
What Does Ryegrass Look Like?
Perennial Ryegrass is traditionally a deep green color and has a lush appearance when kept healthy. Its blades are slender and have a fine texture, contributing to its overall aesthetic appeal. When properly maintained, Perennial Ryegrass is a treat to look at in any lawn.
Is Perennial Ryegrass Good for Lawns?
While Perennial Ryegrass requires higher maintenance, it continues to be a popular choice for lawns due to its unique qualities. One of its key features is its excellent shade tolerance, allowing it to thrive in areas with reduced sunlight where other grasses may struggle. Additionally, it can withstand harsh winter conditions, including heavy frosts and bleak weather.
Does Perennial Ryegrass Die in the Summer?
One of the drawbacks of Perennial Ryegrass is its struggle during warmer months. Being a cool-season grass, it can become stressed and thirsty in spring and summer. To maintain a healthy lawn, it requires a heavy watering schedule during these periods.
When to Plant Ryegrass in Australia
In Australia, annual ryegrass is the best ryegrass seed for frost sowing since it grows quickly and yields more in the summer. To ensure successful establishment, it is recommended to plant ryegrass in early autumn or early spring when the soil temperatures are favorable.
How Long Does Perennial Ryegrass Last?
Perennial Ryegrass is a long-lasting grass variety when properly cared for. With regular fertilization and maintenance, it can persist for several years, providing a beautiful and resilient lawn for an extended period.
The Pros and Cons of Perennial Ryegrass
While Perennial Ryegrass offers unique benefits, it also has some drawbacks as a standalone variety. It can struggle during warmer months and requires regular watering to keep the lawn healthy. Additionally, it necessitates frequent fertilization and can be susceptible to pests and diseases.
It is a fast grower and will need regular mowing over the fast-growing period of spring/early summer. You want to aim for the blade length to be within the 6 to 12cm range, which may mean a weekly mow at this time of year.
As a Companion Grass
Given its mix of strengths and weaknesses, Perennial Ryegrass is often used as a companion grass in various situations. In Australia, where most areas are home to warm-season grasses, adding Perennial Ryegrass to the mix can help maintain a healthy-looking lawn throughout the year. By allowing it to take over during the winter months and going dormant in the summer, you can ensure year-round beauty in your garden.
Conclusion
Perennial Ryegrass is a versatile turf choice that offers unique benefits, such as deep green colour, high shade tolerance, and winter hardiness. While it requires regular maintenance and is susceptible to pests and diseases, its lush appearance and adaptability make it a popular option worldwide. If you’re considering adding Perennial Ryegrass to your lawn, consult a local specialist to choose the best ryegrass seed for your specific needs.
It is also excellent at dealing with harsh winter conditions, with the ability to survive heavy frosts and bleak weather with ease.
Mckay’s offers options in both a stand-alone Perennial and a blended Perennial.
For a premium Perennial Ryegrass that is sure to impress, McKays’ Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass (RPR) is just the ticket. This grass is to develop its own ‘pseudo-stolons’ – creeping stems – it bounces back from wear and tears amazingly. The ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions makes it a dream for turf managers and homeowners alike.
McKays Sports Turf Perennial Ryegrass is a hardy option popular on sporting fields, but is also an excellent choice for lanws in cooler climates.
For a cost-effective option to kick-start your backyard blitz, McKays’ Ryegrass Blend is a quick establishing and budget-friendly way to go. A mix of Annual and Ryegrass with a touch of Creeping Red Fescue thrown in. The design of this blend is to stay green all year round in Australia’s more temperate climates.
If you’re interested in how Perennial Ryegrass may be a sharp addition to your backyard, consult your local McKays best Ryegrass seed specialist.
Does perennial ryegrass come back every year?
Perennial ryegrass is a type of grass that does indeed come back every year. This is in contrast to annual ryegrass, which only lives for one growing season before dying off. Perennial ryegrass is a popular choice for lawns and turfgrass because it is very hardy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional mowing and watering.
How do you care for perennial ryegrass?
Perennial ryegrass is a versatile and hardy grass that is easy to care for. It tolerates a wide range of soils and climates, and is relatively drought-resistant. However, like all grasses, it does require some basic maintenance in order to stay healthy and looking its best.
Mowing is the most important aspect of care for perennial ryegrass. It should be mowed regularly, at least once a week, to keep it from getting too tall. The height of the grass should be kept at around 3 inches. This will ensure that the grass stays dense and lush, and prevents it from developing bare patches.
Perennial ryegrass also needs to be fertilized periodically. A slow-release fertilizer should be applied every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. This will help the grass to maintain its green color and keep it from getting thin and weak.
Finally, perennial ryegrass needs to be watered regularly. It should be watered deeply and evenly, about 1 inch per week. This will help it to develop a deep root system and stay healthy during periods of drought.
How long does perennial ryegrass take to establish?
Perennial ryegrass is a type of grass that is often used for lawns, pastures, and other areas where a grassy surface is desired. It is a fast-growing grass that can establish itself quickly, often in as little as two weeks. Once established, it is a hardy grass that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from drought to heavy traffic.
What time of year do you plant perennial ryegrass?
Perennial ryegrass is a cool-season grass, which means that it thrives in cooler temperatures and goes dormant in hot weather. In general, you should plant perennial ryegrass between Autumn and Spring, when the temperatures are cool. This gives the grass the best chance to establish itself.