Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Need advice from the grass experts | Home & Garden
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Need advice from the grass experts

Posted on 1/9/26 at 6:44 pm
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/9/26 at 6:44 pm
Had an acre of land behind my house that was unkept when we bought it. Recently I had it Bush hogged, and then had to level it because it was messing up my lawn mower.

Once the grass was gone and leveled I decided I had room to build a baseball/softball field for my kids. I marked everything off, got infield dirt and planted rye grass, around early October. After all that rain in December the grass really started to take off.

The only problem I'm having is that whatever was growing back there before cutting it all down was complete shite and clovers etc are mixing in with the rye grass, along with in the outfield/rest of the yard where i didnt plant seeds.

How should I go about taking care of it? What height should I the rye grass? Will it eventually spread throughout the rest of the yard? How often should I cut?

Also plan to plant Bermuda in the infield. When should I do that? And any tips for handling that? My only experience is with St Aug grass.

Thanks.
This post was edited on 1/9/26 at 6:45 pm
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3943 posts
Posted on 1/9/26 at 9:40 pm to
quote:

How should I go about taking care of it? What height should I the rye grass? Will it eventually spread throughout the rest of the yard? How often should I cut?

You can use just a general herbicide like 2,4d for the time being. The rye grass will die off in the spring, so I personally wouldn’t dedicate much time to controlling the weeds in it. If you’re planning to convert to Bermuda, just kill/till/seed it all in the spring.

The rye will not really spread to the rest of the yard. It’s a clumping grass.

Cut it at ~2”. It should be lower than St Aug, although you could cut both higher if needed at 3-4”.

quote:

Also plan to plant Bermuda in the infield. When should I do that? And any tips for handling that? My only experience is with St Aug grass.

Bermuda seed or sod? Assuming seed.

I’d suggest to kill and till the area around April. A couple rounds of glyphosate, till the soil, then spread your Bermuda seed. You’ll get some weeds, but can take care of them later once the Bermuda is established.

If doing sod for the superior variety, you can kill, till, level out with sand as needed, then lay your sod. Will need to keep it watered and taken care of for about 3 weeks or so. You could technically do sod almost anytime, but I’d suggest a similar timeframe of April or so.
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 7:52 am to
quote:

Bermuda seed or sod? Assuming seed.


Thanks for the input. And i plan to seed.
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 7:53 am to
quote:

suggest to kill and till the area around April. A couple rounds of glyphosate, till the soil, then spread your Bermuda seed.


So I guess just putting the seed out over the existing rye is not a good idea?
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3943 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 11:12 am to
quote:

So I guess just putting the seed out over the existing rye is not a good idea?


You could, but it’s not ideal. You want to break up the soil a bit so you get a little bit of cover or soil to seed contact. The rye will also shade out the seed and delay germination. You’ll also continue battling any weeds that sprouted over the winter within the rye.
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 11:58 am to
Sorry one more question (for now). Whenever I was taking care of my St Aug yard (I was pre emerg, post emerg, spraying. Don't really want to do all that with this one), I know if I cut my grass high it would help for the St Aug to suffocate the weeds. I know you said to cut Rye lower, but would keeping it longer for a bit help with the weeds in that same way? Or would that same logic not apply here?
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3943 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 9:23 pm to
Cutting higher can help keep weeds out. Some of the grasses just look better and thrive at shorter HOCs. Rye should be fine at similar heights as the St Aug, so really no concerns there.
Posted by Coon
La 56 Southbound
Member since Feb 2005
18578 posts
Posted on 1/10/26 at 10:27 pm to
Bermuda + MSMA = GOAT
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/12/26 at 6:19 pm to
quote:

Bermuda + MSMA = GOAT


Thats my plan. I want to really get it right with the Bermuda, but want the rye as good as possible in the mean time.

Posted by bkhrph
Lake Charles
Member since May 2022
325 posts
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:51 pm to
Can you still get MSMA?
Were you maybe talking about MSM instead?
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
23571 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:08 am to
quote:

I want to really get it right with the Bermuda, but want the rye as good as possible in the mean time.


Don't overseed your new bermuda in the fall, but a year later when you go to overseed with rye, use this and never look back.

Champion GQ
The color and quality is stunning.

For now, use Tenacity on your rye for weeds, but use it carefully.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 9:10 am
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
24896 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 4:15 pm to
quote:

Can you still get MSMA?


I mean I can't legally get it. But I can certainly get it.
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