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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Winter Hold Mix
Late fall and dormant seeding mix with 87% Winter Rye. Germinates at 34°F when nothing else will. Erosion control and winter cover. USDA Zones 3-7.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
A late-season and dormant seeding specialist designed to germinate when no other grass seed will. Winter Rye (Secale cereale—a cereal grain, not a turfgrass) germinates at soil temperatures as low as 34°F, providing green cover through late fall and winter when standard lawn grasses can't establish. The permanent turfgrass species (Creeping Red Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass) then establish as conditions warm in spring. This is a two-phase process: Winter Rye provides temporary cover, then dies as permanent species take over.
Category
Mix
Type
Lawn Mix
Scientific Name
Multi-species blend (Secale cereale dominant)
Zones
3-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
A late-season and dormant seeding specialist designed to germinate when no other grass seed will. Winter Rye (Secale cereale—a cereal grain, not a turfgrass) germinates at soil temperatures as low as 34°F, providing green cover through late fall and winter when standard lawn grasses can't establish. The permanent turfgrass species (Creeping Red Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass) then establish as conditions warm in spring. This is a two-phase process: Winter Rye provides temporary cover, then dies as permanent species take over.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Loosen soil and remove debris
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer in early spring
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake lightly and roll for contact
Step 5
Water only if conditions allow (none for dormant)
Step 6
Mow at 3-4" when height hits 5-6"; mow short in spring
Best For
Late fall seeding after standard seeding windows close|Post-construction fall projects requiring immediate erosion control|Dormant seeding (December-February) for early spring establishment|Properties where soil will be bare over winter without cover|Cover crop applications in lawn/garden transitions
FAQs
1.
What is the Winter Hold Mix?
The Winter Hold Mix (Bank Mix) contains 87% winter rye, 5% creeping red fescue, 4% perennial ryegrass, and 4% medium red clover. It is a late-season seeding specialist for planting after the normal grass seed window closes (September 15 in zones 5-6). Use it when soil needs to be covered over winter but it is too late for standard lawn mixes to germinate. The winter rye germinates at soil temperatures as low as 34°F—conditions that shut down all turfgrass germination.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
No. The Winter Hold Mix is a two-phase planting. Phase one (fall/winter): winter rye provides temporary green cover, erosion control, and soil stabilization. Phase two (spring/summer): winter rye dies after producing seed heads in late spring, and the permanent species (creeping red fescue, perennial ryegrass, red clover) take over. The permanent species establish during the cool season protected by the winter rye canopy. A full permanent lawn takes 12-18 months from planting.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
This is the most important distinction for this product. Winter rye (Secale cereale, 87% of the mix) is a cereal grain—it grows 3-4 feet tall, produces grain-like seed heads, and dies after one season. It is a temporary cover crop, not a lawn grass. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, 4% of the mix) is a true turfgrass—it stays short, mows well, and is a permanent lawn component. Despite similar names, they are completely different plants from different plant families.
4.
When should I plant the Winter Hold Mix?
Plant from late October through February. The primary window is October-December after standard turfgrass seeding windows close. Dormant seeding (December-February) is also effective—seed lies dormant on frozen ground and germinates at first opportunity in early spring. The winter rye component germinates at 34°F, making this the only lawn seeding option for the November-February period when soil is too cold for all standard lawn grasses.
5.
What is the seeding rate for the Winter Hold Mix?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What are the best situations for using the Winter Hold Mix?
Use the Winter Hold Mix for late fall construction projects requiring erosion control before winter, bare soil that will otherwise be exposed all winter (erosion risk), dormant seeding (December-February) for earliest possible spring establishment, properties where September planting was missed and spring is too long to wait, and transitional cover when converting gardens to lawn. It is not appropriate as a primary permanent lawn seed (use a standard mix instead), and spring planting is not recommended (use any standard lawn mix for spring).