Types

• There are two types of ryegrass: annual and perennial. Annual ryegrass grows for one season and dies back in the late spring. Many gardeners choose this type of ryegrass to plant with their Bermuda grass, because perennial ryegrass releases toxic substances that kills this warm season grass. Perennial grass comes back to life each fall when temperatures have dipped to 55 to 75 degrees. Over 50 different types of ryegrass exist for use on lawns and pastures. Growing ryegrass in pastures is especially common, because the grass provides excellent nutrition for livestock.
  
  

Description

• According to Texas A&M University, ryegrass is a bunch type grass that has long erect stems. Stems can reach up to heights of two feet if the ryegrass goes without mowing. Ryegrass also has a dark green glossy underside to the blade that contributes a healthy appearance to yards. The seeds of ryegrass closely resemble fescue. Both annual and perennial ryegrass look extremely similar to each other.
  
  

Geography

• Perennial ryegrass is more tolerant of the warm conditions of the southern winters. When planted in the shade, it can endure summers in the south. Annual ryegrass is better suited for milder summers. In fact, planted in temperate regions this grass can be used as a short-term or long-term perennial. According to Oregon State University, annual ryegrass can grow from eastern Texas and Oklahoma to the eastern seaboard.
  
  

Maintenance

• Ryegrass is one of the fussiest grass types of cool season grasses. Gardeners must mow ryegrass every two to three days to keep it at a height of one inch. Fertilization occurs in the early fall with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Ryegrass needs at 0.5 pounds of nitrogen spread every 1,000 square feet. Soil pH tests must be conducted each year to ensure that the soil's pH is within the correct range of 5.0 to 7.8. If grown outside of this range the ryegrass is unable to absorb the soil's nutrients and may become discolored or suffer from poor health.
  
  

Main Differences in Ryegrass Types

• The function that both types of ryegrasses serve is one of the main differences in annual and perennial grass. Perennial grass is meant to be a long-term turf type, while annual grass must be seeded every year. Annual ryegrass spreads quicker in the yard, because its root system is not as extensive as perennial. For gardeners desiring a quickly establishing yard, annual ryegrass can provide a thick green expanse for early fall and spring months.