Photos are representative and may not match your specific variety.

Annual Ryegrass

Grass

Lolium multiflorum

Overview
Ryegrass is a great nitrogen scavenger and can assimilate as much as 200 lb./acre/year of nitrogen. Most of that nitrogen then becomes available to subsequent crops, thus saving on fertilizer input. Annual ryegrass is a very competitive winter annual, with good seedling vigor, fast germination (with adequate moisture) and rapid establishment. Annual ryegrass is a bunch grass, yellowish-green at the base, with long glossy green leaves up to 12" each. It will overwinter in certain years. When used as a cover crop, annual ryegrass is killed in the spring before it reaches seed formation stage. Sow from early spring through late summer. As winter cover, ryegrass will winter kill, but still help protect the soil. Sow, then rake to lightly cover.
Planting
Broadcast 5-10 lbs per 1000 sq ft in fall or spring. Rake lightly into soil and water daily until established.
Growing
Sun: partial. Water: high. Soil pH: 6–7. Space plants 12" apart. Germination: 5-10.
Pests & diseases
Common pests: Aphids, cutworms, occasional grub damage. Common diseases: Crown rust, leaf spot in wet conditions.