How to Grow Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin'
Wikimedia Commons
Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin'
Lolium perenne 'Chardin'
grassChardin is a premium perennial ryegrass cultivar bred for superior turf quality, fine texture, and excellent disease resistance. It produces a dense, attractive lawn with fine leaf blades and rapid establishment from seed. This variety is widely used in sports fields, golf courses, and high-quality ornamental lawns across temperate regions.
When should you plant Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin'
Around Apr 27≈ 10 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; prefers cool-season climates with moderate moisture
Sign up free to see if Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
10-14 daysSeeds develop root systems and first leaf shoots emerge. Soil appears dotted with fine green lines.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid foot traffic. Maintain soil temperature 50-65°F for optimal germination.
Seedling Establishment
3-4 weeksYoung grass forms shallow root systems and develops 2-4 true leaves per plant. Turf appears light green and delicate.
Continue consistent moisture. Begin light nitrogen fertilization. Keep mowing height at 2.5-3 inches if growth permits. Avoid heavy traffic.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksGrass develops deeper root systems and thickens; dense stand of fine-textured green blades forms. Tillers begin to multiply.
Transition to established lawn care; mow to 2-3 inches height. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly. Reduce watering frequency but maintain 1-1.5 inches weekly during growing season.
Maturation & Density Peak
Ongoing through seasonFully established turf with dense, fine-bladed coverage, dark green color, and excellent wear tolerance. Numerous tillers create a cohesive lawn.
Maintain regular mowing (2-2.5 inches for ornamental lawns, 0.5-1 inch for sports fields). Fertilize 3-4 times per year. Aerate annually if compaction occurs. Overseed bare spots in fall.
Dormancy
3-4 months (December-March in northern zones)In cold winter regions, grass enters dormancy; color fades to tan or brown. Root systems remain active in soil.
Reduce mowing frequency or stop. Avoid heavy traffic on frozen turf. Clean up leaves and debris. Apply dormancy-break fertilizer in late winter to promote spring green-up.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Maintain healthy turf vigor with proper irrigation; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; predatory beetles provide biological control. Avoid excessive nitrogen in mid-summer.
-
Monitor for brown patches and wilting; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for organic control or pyrethroid insecticides. Increase mowing height slightly to reduce damage susceptibility.
-
Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) in fall or spring; use imidacloprid if populations are severe. Maintain proper soil moisture to stress grubs.
-
Maintain dense turf to prevent infestation; apply entomopathogenic nematodes; use pyrethroid insecticides at first sign of damage.
Uses
Livestock & Animal Feed
CulinaryPerennial ryegrass is an excellent forage crop for pasture grazing and hay production. It provides nutritious feed for cattle, sheep, and horses with good palatability and digestibility. [source]
Ornamental Turf & Lawns
HouseholdChardin creates premium-quality residential and ornamental lawns with fine texture, attractive dark green color, and excellent mowing quality. It is ideal for high-visibility landscapes. [source]
Sports Field & Recreation
HouseholdThis cultivar is extensively used for golf courses, football fields, tennis courts, and other athletic surfaces due to its superior wear tolerance, fine texture, and rapid recovery from traffic. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Ground Cover
WildlifeDense perennial ryegrass stands provide shelter and food sources for small mammals, birds, and beneficial insects while preventing soil erosion. [source]
Sod Production & Landscaping
CraftChardin is widely grown commercially for instant sod/turf production, allowing landscapers and homeowners to establish mature lawns rapidly without waiting weeks for seed germination. [source]
Harvest Tips
Perennial ryegrass is not harvested in the traditional sense. For sports turf or ornamental purposes, mow to 2-3 inches height for residential lawns, 0.5-1 inch for golf greens and sports fields. First mowing should occur once grass reaches 3-4 inches and roots are established (4-6 weeks after seeding). Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing fine leaves.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chardin was developed through advanced breeding programs to combine rapid germination, fine leaf texture, and superior disease resistance—making it one of the most selected perennial ryegrass cultivars for European sports fields and premium lawns.
- 🌱 Perennial ryegrass has been cultivated for over 200 years and is the foundation of most fine-quality cool-season lawns in temperate regions; Chardin represents modern genetic improvements over traditional varieties.
- 🌱 The 'Chardin' cultivar exhibits exceptional resistance to leaf spot diseases (Drechslera and Pyricularia species) and red thread (Laetisaria fuciformis), reducing the need for fungicide applications in humid climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Perennial Ryegrass 'Chardin' timeline →