OT: Another grass/lawn question

[Uncle Ruckus]

I don't think I've seen this discussed before. I recently cleared out a couple of acres of timber. I need grass on it as quick as possible so that I can build a 'dog yard'. Right now the plan is to get an annual ryegrass just get get something down as quick as possible and then actually decide on what I wanted to use long term when it starts dying. Is there any better quicker/inexpensive alternatives. I don't know if it will make a difference but about 20 yards into the timber like on the rear side there is a natural branch that runs parallel to the property, don't know if that will affect the soil any

 

[coach66]

I'm not a turf management guy but rye grass this time of year sounds like a

a waste. I would just wait a few weeks to when we start having consistently 70 degree nights and you see a good rain on the horizon and spread bermuda grass seed before the rain.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Rye grass is just about done for the year.

 

[Hammer Down]

If you cleared timber, use the MDOT specifications for your area. You can see their spec book on their website, they give you proportions for lime and mixes for seed during certain types of the year. That is how contractors get it growing quickly.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I may do that. Not looking for anything permanent, just something to get up quickly so that I can continue to work on it, then do something permanent once it dies off. I won't be home for another week but I have a root take that I will be running over it so the soil will be broken up pretty good. I've planted many a food plot but a yard is something new to me.
Do you need to fertilize as well? I've used a homemade mixture I learned from a work associate that beats everything I've ever used with a mixture of beer, coke, dawn, miracle grow and house ammonia. Sounds stupid but it works.

 

[coach66]

I would think about hitting the whole

2 acres with roundup right now and then seeding with Bermuda in a few weeks. Your soil should be great from the decaying foliage of the forest over the years but I would hit it with triple 13 after it comes up good right in front of a big rain.

 

[DerHntr]

2 acres with roundup right now and then seeding with Bermuda in a few weeks. Your soil should be great from the decaying foliage of the forest over the years but I would hit it with triple 13 after it comes up good right in front of a big rain.

Just a comment on Bermuda: don't plant it if you ever think you will want a different type of grass. About the only thing to guarantee killing it is an illegal roundup/dish soap/diesel mixture. If you like Bermuda then 66 is probably right in his suggestion.

Personally I prefer to wait until the fall for grass planting. It won't have the chance to be burned up by the summer heat and you get a great root system developed over the winter.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

That ideal but I don't have the luxury of choosing when to plant. Really needs to be done within the next month

 

[Hammer Down]

Do you need to fertilize as well? I've used a homemade mixture I learned from a work associate that beats everything I've ever used with a mixture of beer, coke, dawn, miracle grow and house ammonia. Sounds stupid but it works.

Yes. From what I've seen, this is the excerpt:

225.03.2--Fertilizing. The Contractor shall furnish all equipment necessary toproperly handle, store, uniformly spread, and incorporate the specifiedapplication of fertilizer.Unless otherwise specified in the contract, the Contractor shall incorporate bagfertilizer at a rate of 1000 pounds per acre of 13-13-13 commercial fertilizer.The equivalent rate of other type fertilizers will be allowed if the equivalentpercentages of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are obtained. TheContractor shall incorporate agricultural limestone at a rate of 5000 pounds peracre. Fertilization shall be applied uniformly on the areas to be planted or seededand uniformly incorporated into the soil.Fertilizers should be applied on individual areas of not more than three acres.All fertilizer should be incorporated within 24 hours following spreading.

That is pretty general, but typical for construction. I looked around and did not see where they establish seed zones for different seasons. Alabama does this, so you can probably just look at theirs and judge by approximate latitude. Or, you could just ask your County Extension what seed grows quickest right now. You can call them anytime, that is why they are there.

 

[Shamoan]

well, if that is the case, i suggest dawning a space suit and riding a green shark.

 

[Hammer Down]

My experience with bermuda is just the opposite. In theory, I always thought the reason that builders use it was because it came up fast and spread quickly. Supposedly handles traffic well too. But it has always given way to other grasses/weeds fairly quickly for me. I may be the exception there though.

 

[RocketDawg]

Kinda depends on where you live too (climate). Rye might still work for a while, and you could also try Kentucky 31 fescue. If it gets hot enough it'll go away or get clumpy, but at least you'd have something to hold the soil. And like someone said, if you don't want Bermuda permanently, don't use it. It loves the sun and is very invasive and will last forever. It might even come up on its own.