Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a fast-growing, cool-season grass widely valued for its quick establishment, dense ground cover, and high forage quality. It is commonly used for temporary pasture and hay, overseeding warm-season lawns and sports fields for winter color, erosion control, and as a cover crop to improve soil structure and suppress weeds. Recommended seeding rates vary by use: for forage or pasture, about 20–30 lb per acre when drilled or 25–40 lb per acre when broadcast; for lawns or overseeding turf, 5–10 lb per 1,000 sq ft; and for erosion control or cover cropping, 15–25 lb per acre, often adjusted upward when mixed with other species.
