September and October mark a major milestone for turf landscape in the desert. It’s the time to transition from summer grass to winter grass.
What is Overseeding?
Overseeding is the process of planting winter Ryegrass. This process typically includes reducing irrigation to the existing Bermuda grass reduced by half, lowering mow heights to prepare the seed bed and then laying down Ryegrass seed.
Why Overseed?
Bermuda grass grows well in the summer but goes dormant during the winter months. Because it is no longer actively growing, it turns brown, resulting in straw-like appearance until it begins growing again in the spring. Ryegrass however, stays green and vibrant through the cooler months, then dies out with the summer heat.
Why are the sprinklers running more frequently?
In order for the new Ryegrass seeds to germinate, the seed bed must remain moist. We accomplish this by watering from sunup to sundown.
Why can’t I walk on the grass?
In order to help ensure the Ryegrass grows in fully and your Community can enjoy even winter grass, we encourage you to not walk or play on overseeded areas as the grass germinates, which typically takes 3-4 weeks.
Why is the grass turning a different color?
The summer Bermuda grass turns a brown, blonde, straw- like color as it goes into dormancy. This is normal, and your turf areas will look greener once the winter Ryegrass begins to sprout and grow.
Why are some areas skipped during overseeding?
At Grayhawk, we follow an overseed rotation for several greenbelts and neighborhood parks, switching which areas get overseeded each year. Unlike Ryegrass, Bermuda turf does not die off each year, but instead falls dormant for the winter, like a hibernating animal gaining strength for spring.
Committing to the rotation schedule gives turf areas that are not overseeded the chance to rest and regain strength, resulting in a stronger and faster-growing Bermuda crop the next spring. The overseeding schedule and areas are carefully selected in partnership with the Grayhawk Community Association and the Grayhawk Landscape Committee to ensure the community receives the best possible service and is able to enjoy Grayhawk’s many beautiful turf areas. A map of the overseed rotation schedule can be found here.