Overseeding Warm Season Lawns

Warm season lawn grasses, such as bermudagrass, St. Augustine and zoysia, are ideal for southern and southwestern climates. They grow vigorously all summer long and can get by on less water than cool season lawns like bluegrass or fescue. The only problem is they turn brown in winter. You can avoid the brown lawn look this winter by overseeding your warm season lawn now with annual or perennial ryegrass, which will stay green all winter. When warm weather returns next spring, the warm season grass will take over again and the ryegrass will fade away.

The exact timing for overseeding can vary depending on where you live, so check with your cooperative extension service or local nursery professional before you begin. If your lawn has weeds, apply Bayer Advanced™ Southern Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Use three - four weeks before overseeding. Mow the lawn as low as possible and overseed at rates recommended on the grass seed package. Lightly topdress with organic matter and water frequently (it may need watering more than once a day in hot weather) until the seed germinates. If your lawn is very dense or has a thick thatch layer, aerate or dethatch prior to overseeding.

Products Mentioned In This Article

Southern Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Use