Page 11 - Waterfall_Issue 6_2022

Above: Before and after overseeding Right: Cropcover

A lawn that is overseeded in winter with a Kikuyu base in summer

Your Kikuyu/Cynodon grass needs to be scarified/ down at the edges. Crop cover is vital to the success of
cut short in autumn, then you simply overseed it overseeding. It protects the seeds from birds, allows sun
with Ryegrass. It germinates quickly and will grow and water through its thin membrane, and increases the
throughout winter. As soon as the temperature gets temperature for faster germination.
too hot in summer, the Ryegrass will recede, and by 8. Water daily for 10 minutes.
then, conditions are favourable again for your Kikuyu/ 9. Germination will take place between 5 - 10 days.
Cynodon to thrive. The following autumn, you can 10. Lift the crop cover after 15 days.
repeat your overseeding, guaranteeing an all-year- 11. Fertilise with a slow-release fertiliser 18:6:18 + Trace
round green lawn. Annual Ryegrass is a cool-season Elements.
variety that thrives in cooler temperatures due to 12. A week after the crop cover has been removed, you
proteins that assist with frost damage. It is a lush can cut at the highest possible setting, using a rotary
green turf and provides a stunning appearance. mower with sharp blades, but without the grass box,
as the clippings release a growth hormone that assists
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO OVERSEEDING YOUR with the grow-in process.
LAWN IN WATERFALL FOR NEXT YEAR: 13. After each cut, go one setting lower until you are
1. Scarify your lawn during April. happy with your preferred height.
2. Seed annual Ryegrass @ 20g/m². 14. Six weeks after overseeding, you may proceed to use a
3. Apply a light topdressing onto the lawn. cylinder mower, which will give you a stunning striped
4. Seed again @20g/m². effect.
5. Apply another light covering of topdressing.
6. Seed again @20g/m². Overseeding your lawn may sound complicated, however, it
7. Apply crop cover to all the overseeded areas and pin it is totally worth it if you enjoy winter family time on the lawn.

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