Should I plant some winter rye grass in my back lawn area?

Kim Smith
by Kim Smith
We removed a pool, and now have an area approx 3000sq ft of brown ugly dirt. It is late Oct in Ohio zone 6. Should I try planting winter rye grass for a green look (maybe) and to prevent erosion this winter. I know we would have to do grass in spring, but I hate the thought of brown and muddy snow all winter. Is rye grass nasty for lawns just temporarily? Or maybe there is just not enough time. I would plant in the next few days.
Slightly inclined "lawn" from back deck to woods.
  5 answers
  • @Douglas Hunt Suppose you have the correct answer for this.
  • Annual rye grass would be a great idea because you need something to help with the erosion. Annual rye grass will die down next spring and will not interfere with any other grass seed or project you are doing. You will have serious erosion problems if this is a wet winter for you. good luck
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 29, 2014
    The Ohio State Extension Service says, "Annual ryegrass is not recommended for use in Ohio lawns." See more on why here: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/4000/4011.html I'm not sure where you are in Ohio, but if you are in southern Ohio they also say you can probably seed a blend of grass seed containing bluegrass and perennial rye until the end of October, which means you have like two days! My recommendation is to check with a good local nursery to get their input on your particular area.
  • Rose Rose on Oct 29, 2014
    I want to plant annual rye grass in my garden. I have checked all the stores where I buy my gardening supplies, they don't carry it. Any suggestions?
    • Kim Smith Kim Smith on Oct 29, 2014
      @Rose I haven't looked for the annual rye yet. Maybe it isn't going to be available.
  • Kim Smith Kim Smith on Oct 29, 2014
    I had read that info on the extension hotline, but wondered if anyone had experience with this grass. It is described as "tuft-like" in appearance. If I planted it alone, and then over-seeded with Ky Bluegrass in spring, would it ruin the appearance of the lawn because the initial grass is tufty pern. rye? @The Garden Frog with C Renee If I tried annual rye,it will die off for me next spring so I can reseed with something better? Something to last? Just worried about erosion and pure ugliness of big dirt/mud patch all winter.
    • See 1 previous
    • Kim Smith Kim Smith on Oct 31, 2014
      @The Garden Frog with C Renee Thanks for your help. I will just try it and live with the consequences. Or maybe borrow a herd of sheep or goats come spring to get rid of it. LOL