How to Plant Rye Seed for Soil Improvement

Rye grass adds organic materials to the soil.

Over wintering your garden soil by planting annual rye seed improves the overall soil properties. The roots of the rye grass go deep into the soil keeping the winter ground aerated. The long and thick blades of the rye grass will add organic material to the soil when it is turned under in early spring. Planting rye seed in late fall retains soil that may erode from heavy autumn rains or deep winter snows.

Things You'll Need

• Garden rake
• Rototiller
• Rye grass seed
• Irrigation
• Lawn mower

Instructions

1. Remove all vegetative material from the garden site after the first hard killing frost. Collect the dead plant material and place it in the compost pile.

2. Cultivate the garden site with the rototiller. Work the ground as deep as possible with the tines of the rototiller. Rake the soil smooth. Remove all remaining plant material, including roots and rocks.

3. Broadcast the rye grass seed at a rate of 2 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Cover the seed with soil by running the tines of the garden rake over the area.

4. Irrigate the seed two to three times until the seed germinates. Generally, applying less than 1/2 inch of water to the seeds will cause germination.

5. Allow the rye grass to grow until spring. Mow the rye grass with the lawn mower. Rototill the material into the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Planting of rye grass seed requires no extra fertilization for the plants to grow thick and lush. It is best to wait and conduct a soil test the following spring before planting the garden with flowers or vegetables. Then add the recommended organic materials and fertilizers based upon the soil test results.

References

• Colorado State University: Plant in Fall to Improve Your Soil
• University of Hawaii: Annual Ryegrass