a close up of a lush green field of grass

Perennial ryegrass is a unique type of cool-season grass that fits both pastures and home lawns. Maryland residents love ryegrass because it thrives in warm summers and cool winters. In a state that experiences many different climates, you’ll enjoy a light green lawn all year with ryegrass.

Often called a nurse grass because it can protect other types of seeds, ryegrass has a few uses in northern and southern yards. Some people use this grass alongside tall fescue or overseed their dormant lawn with winter ryegrass.

With Maryland’s weather range, ryegrass lawns are a great option for any southeastern home. You can learn more about ryegrass to decide what’s right for you, and we at OrganicLawns will get you started on the growing process.

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What Is Ryegrass?

Ryegrass is common for farmers that need a high-yield pasture for grazing animals. However, even if you don’t have livestock, you can enjoy this durable grass.

Many homeowners choose perennial ryegrass because it establishes quicker than most other seeds. Known for its fast germination, you’ll see a green and mowable lawn less than a month after seeding. Not to be confused with annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass returns every year with its fine blades and sage green color.

Ryegrass is great for northern lawns and provides drought-tolerant protection in every season. This seed loves sunlight and can thrive with partial shade in cooler months. For southern homeowners that like green grass all year, OrganicLawns can overseed your existing lawns with winter ryegrass.

With a high yield and slow spread, perennial ryegrass seeds can start or add to a healthy home lawn. Our team can seed ryegrass across Maryland so every home enjoys an inviting yard.

Pros and Cons of Ryegrass

Ryegrass is a distinct type of grass seed that’s perfect for many homeowners. Before beginning a seeding project, you should understand this grass’s pros and cons. Here are five reasons people typically choose ryegrass:

Sunlight needs: Ryegrass likes a lot of sunlight and can tolerate small amounts of shade. Winter ryegrass is a popular option in southern states and sunnier climates.
Germination speed: Ryegrass is famous for its quick germination, and your lawn will be growing in a few days. It’s also resistant to damage from walking, grazing or disease.
Winter-hardiness: You can enjoy green grass all winter long with ryegrass. This seed is happy in the transition climate zone where Maryland lies.
Bunch-forming habits: Unlike bluegrass, ryegrass grows in bunches, so it may appear patchy sometimes. You may need to reseed small areas because perennial ryegrass can not repair its growth.
Low-maintenance: Due to its growth habits, perennial ryegrass will spread slowly so you can decrease lawn trimming.

If you’re considering a ryegrass lawn, you can prepare for its advantages and disadvantages with a seed blend. Ryegrass is in many seed mixes because it protects other grass and survives colder seasons with enough sunlight. Even by itself, ryegrass is an excellent option for the right homeowner’s lawn.

Proper Care

At OrganicLawns, we specialize in healthy grass that every member of your home can enjoy — even your beloved pets! If you’ve decided perennial ryegrass is right for you, familiarize yourself with standard practices so your lawn is hydrated, maintained and fertilized.

Here are our recommendations for proper ryegrass care:

Seeding: The best time to sow ryegrass seeds is early fall so your grass can germinate at least 45 days before the first frost of the season. If you’re overseeding a winter lawn, start once your overnight air temperature is around 65 degrees.
Watering: Your ryegrass will need about 1 inch of water per week in most seasons. In northern areas, you can decrease watering during the fall.
Mowing: Ryegrass should remain around 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches tall for most of the year. When it’s hotter outside, you can increase its height to 3 to 4 inches.
Shade: One of the most important things to remember with ryegrass is that it needs more sun than shade. Ryegrass can thrive with partial shade, so it works best for southern areas in winter.

We will help with your lawn’s specific needs once we visit and assess your property. With the right maintenance, you will love your ryegrass lawn throughout every season.

Our Maryland Lawn Care Services

Maryland homeowners love the durability and longevity of perennial ryegrass. At OrganicLawns, we use Blue Tag-certified, zero-weed seed so you can enjoy a quality lawn.

We offer a pay-as-you-go system so you can experience hassle-free organic treatment. You can also choose additional lawn services from any of our packages. With free quality control visits, we will do our best to ensure your lawn is healthy, eco-friendly and pet-friendly.

To start your perennial ryegrass project today, you can schedule a free estimate for your Maryland home or call our office at (410) 995-9722.

Schedule A FREE Lawn Estimate!