Plant in

Elbon or cereal rye is an excellent grass to plant in the fall. It will germinate fast, grow quickly and indeed help build the soil. It is a cool season grass so plan to plant something else in the spring. If you broadcast a thin layer of compost (1/4') it and any other grass will sprout more quickly and evenly as well as establish faster.

Plant in October at 25 to 50 lbs./acre as a winter cover crop and deterrent of harmful nematodes.

Question: We need to plant winter grass to control erosion around our new charter school. The soil is terrible and does not support much vegetation.  I have heard that cereal rye is a good winter grass because it also acts as a good fertilizer when it dies. In the spring, we plan to overseed with buffalo grass and blue gama grass. What winter and spring grasses do you recommend if not those mentioned? M.F., Dallas

Answer: Elbon or cereal rye is an excellent grass to plant in the fall. It will germinate fast, grow quickly and indeed help build the soil. It is a cool-season grass, so plan to plant something else in the spring. If you broadcast a thin layer of compost (61/4 inch), the rye and any other grass will sprout more quickly and evenly as well as establish faster.