Backyard grass suggestions

[buckmanmike]

We had our pines and sweetgums removed from our backyard early fall. Also had the stumps chipped. I have someone coming next week to fill low areas and grade. What is suggested to plant as a ground cover till spring? I want to prevent erosion. In the spring I'm planning on seeding Rebel fescue(is that type recommended).

 

[DannyW]

Rye grass. It will come up thick and die out by May/June when your fescue is starting to come out.

 

[DAWG1419]

Wait till next fall to plant your fescue. It will never look great planting in spring, it won’t get a good root system before the heat of summer sets in. Aerate and plant fescue September 1. Don’t add rye with it In the fall.

 

[livinoutdoors]

Depends on what part of the state but you could just about go ahead and plant the fescue. I plant Orchard grass in the late winter. Fall can be dry and hot.

 

[buckmanmike]

I'm in Snellville, Ga.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I'm in Snellville, Ga.

Well then the timings right but i gotta say, thats gettin pretty far south for fescue i bet. Maybe somebody who has land down there can jump in? Might be too hot. Not sure.

 

[bigchiefchoctaw]

@NCHillbilly would know

 

[buckmanmike]

Snellville is metro Atlanta. We have land in SWGA and I wouldn't consider fescue down there.

 

[NCHillbilly]

You’re probably in the southern end of fescue range. Rebel is good, Black Beauty is good too. I would plant it soon so that it gets established before the summer heat.

 

[crackerdave]

Be prepared for sprouts from those sweetgum stumps. Spray 'em as soon as they sprout in the spring,or they will take over the area.
Don't use Roundup,though. It causes cancer.Speaking from experience.

 

[B. White]

Well then the timings right but i gotta say, thats gettin pretty far south for fescue i bet. Maybe somebody who has land down there can jump in? Might be too hot. Not sure.

Majority of pasture was fescue in Henry county when I was a kid, so it should be fine in Snellville. I had it in the yard, but always planted or over seeded in fall. It will probably be fine planted in spring, as long as it gets water.

 

[buckmanmike]

I'll spread some rye after grading and follow up with fescue in early spring. Thanks for help.

 

[Crakajak]

I,m just around the corner from you.Fescue will grow if you are shaded.If it is full sun ,Bermuda,centipede...warm season grasses is what you need.

 

[Crakajak]

I'll spread some rye after grading and follow up with fescue in early spring. Thanks for help.

Make sure it is annual rye and not perrennial.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I'll spread some rye after grading and follow up with fescue in early spring. Thanks for help.

Again, just my 2 cents, but mid Feb is early spring as far as plants go anyway. You may just wanna go fescue from the start.

 

[tcward]

Go ahead and get that soil test done. Makes a big difference I think when you know better what you need to amend for.

 

[Tight Lines]

I am in Atlanta and have fescue. But I have irrigation too. I would plant rye grass, test the soil, and then aerate and overseed in the spring, around March, and again in the fall about mid-September. I do mine the week before Halloween typically.

I use Winning Colors fescue every year. I will say, come July / August it starts to look a little thin and can go dormant depending on how hot it gets, but personally I don't care for the dormant winter grasses.

If I had it to do over I might have sodded it with Zoysia but I like the deep green and durability of the fescue.

 

[buckmanmike]

The back yard used to be shaded, but after getting rid of those pesky sweetgums(some 30" dia) its now full sun. Im planting thuga orientalis around the perimeter and a couple of red/yellow maples. I hope to have most of the yard in raised planters for veggies. If I live long enough I hope to reap the rewards. Should have done this 20 years ago.