Cover crop to hold slope

[Paddy]

I planted Winter Rye, not rye grass but the cereal grain, to stop erosion on a steep hillside.
This was last Fall and it did a great job sprouting fast and holding the soil. Once spring arrives the Rye will grow again to make grain and will die off once it gets hot.

Now the issue. I now want to replace the rye with grass. By the time it warms up enough for planting grass, the rye will be exploding out of the ground. has anyone over seeded regular grass in short Rye so that when the rye dies off in July/Aug, the grass is established? Or will the Rye shade the grass...

 

[oldnslo]

We used to plant oats as a cover crop for our alfalfa since the oats sprouted quickly. We would combine the oats and 99 percent of the time would have a good stand of alfalfa that fall.

based on that experience I would think grass would grow in your rye.

 

[Paddy]

oldsnio,

Thank you. I'll plant the grass shortly and keep an eye on it. It's only 2000 sq-ft
If it looks like the rye is crowding the grass, I'll weed-wack it down as soon as I see the rye flowers

 

[oosik]

I get a special mix of grass types made for our location. We have a large seed company locally. In addition to seed grains( wheat, oats, rape, barley - etc) they make these grass types for homeowners. I've planted a couple large areas and it works well.

 

[Jrasband]

Next time mix the grass seed with the cover crop. Can also throw in some warm season cover crop too.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I planted Winter Rye, not rye grass but the cereal grain, to stop erosion on a steep hillside.
This was last Fall and it did a great job sprouting fast and holding the soil. Once spring arrives the Rye will grow again to make grain and will die off once it gets hot.

Now the issue. I now want to replace the rye with grass. By the time it warms up enough for planting grass, the rye will be exploding out of the ground. has anyone over seeded regular grass in short Rye so that when the rye dies off in July/Aug, the grass is established? Or will the Rye shade the grass...

I've used Bermuda over Winter Rye with good results. The Bermuda will turn brown when it gets really dry, but short of planting St. Augustine, I think it did fine. I'm not much for watering St. Augustine.