Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Rye Grass Basics

I need to get some erosion control around parts of my pond. There has been native seed planted already, but it didn't take hold in all areas. I'm afraid to leave the soil exposed through the winter, due to the continued erosion. The pond was completed this past spring. So, it would go an entire year with bare areas if I didn't do anything until this coming spring.

Would rye grass be a good option here? If so, when would be the best time to seed? I'm assuming the temperature is the key factor. Anything specific I should know about getting rye started would be appreciated.

Has anyone planted rye and regreted it? Don't want to make a mistake trying to do good!

Jimmy,

The rye grass will help, won't hurt anything, but unless it is seeded very thickly, it won't help as much as you need. The rye grass stem is very thin and doesn't have much of root system. Native grasses like bermuda are much better. It would help to mix some clover (like crimson clover) and/or small grain such as oats in with it. A side benefit to small grains is that deer love them also. You could begin to plant it now, but without moisture it won't do much.

Better still, in my experience, is to spread old hay around the areas you want to protect. By next spring it will not only have provided protection, but also provide grass seeds and mulch to get things going quickly.

Jimmy, can't help with the rye, but this time of year I always plant oats on my dam, deer season and all. It grows great just sprinkling it from the bag, fairly inexpensive too. In the past I bought 50 lb bags for around $7-8, haven't bought this year yet, but I will be planting in 2-3 weeks. Standard oats from a feed store work fine, they tolerate low temps and should do quite well in your area.

Meadowlark and Eastland,

Thanks for the tips. Couple more questions though. Would planting bermuda amongst my native stuff be wise? Seems like introducing the bermuda in the bare spots would be cause for random patches of short grass (bermuda) and taller grass (native). Could end up looking like an 8 year old who tried to cut his own hair?

Eastland, are oats going to come back or do you have to plant them each year? What do oats look like when mature (height, color, etc.)? Would they work well to fill random bald patches long term?

My ideal goal would be to go back with the same native mixture that I started with. I just don't know if I'd have much luck with the growth during the fall. Seems like spring is the ticket.

Here's an idea I just thought of:

What if I came back and planted some rye or oats for the late fall and winter within an 8' ring around the entire pond's edge? This would give me some quick erosion control (maybe add some hay also at the seeding stage).

Then in the spring, I could go back over the same area with some common bermuda. This would give me the thicker erosion control and also a lower grass for fishing at the pond's edge.

This sounds too good to be true. What am I missing here? Would my native stuff eventually take over the common bermuda?

Jimmy,

Both the rye and oats will die out with hot weather late next spring and will not return. The bermuda will be a permanent cover.

I'm trying buffelgrass in some of my sandy drainages.

http://www.dkseeds.com/grassindex.htm

"roots up to 8 ft. deep."

I have just planted 4a common bermuda also. Plan to overseed with rye in Oct.

Here's more info

http://www.buffelgrassseed.com/

Jimmy, Meadowlark has pretty well nailed it. Without rain, it doesn't do much good to plant anything. Nor will it do any good to just broadcast seed. The soil needs to be scratched so the seed doesn't just run off. Wheat has always been the most dependable cereal grain for me. Oats are OK but they freeze out. Bermuda is great but you need to wait till spring to plant it.
One of my neighbors planted buffalo grass in his yard. It took a lot of water to get it started.

Jimmy
What kind of "native" grasses did you plant? Some varieties have very special needs to germinate. Those bare spots may have have seed laying dormant waiting for their trigger to sprout.