Is there a place for annual ryegrass as an over-seeding tool in Ohio?
Traditionally, OSU has not recommended ARG because it is coarse, light green (does not blend with PRG and KGB), and dies in spring. In 2003, we visited a high school football field that had been contractor seeded with common (probably forage) ARG the previous fall and was dying out. This was not a good situation for the school to be in several weeks before their fall playing season. However, as an “over-seeding” tool during fall and early winter, it may have some benefits. Here is what turfgrass research has told us about ARG so far: * It is a rapid germinator and a very aggressive establisher, quicker than perennial ryegrass. This offers many advantages – a denser sward out-competes weed competition and offers better wear tolerance. Research was also done back in the 70s showing that annual ryegrasses could strengthen bermudagrass sod, allowing for quicker harvesting. * As a nursery grass, it does not help Kentucky bluegrass to establish quicker, but it does provide faster grass cover
