%20(1).png)
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Winter Rye & Chicory Blend
Two-phase cover system—Rye for winter, Chicory for summer. Year-round soil coverage from one fall planting. Deep taproot + winter hardiness. Zones 3-8.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
A two-phase cover and forage system that provides year-round soil coverage through seasonal species succession. Winter Rye dominates fall through spring—germinating in near-freezing conditions, preventing erosion, scavenging nitrogen, and suppressing weeds. As Rye completes its lifecycle in late spring, perennial Chicory takes over for summer and fall—its 10-18 inch taproot mining deep minerals, providing drought-resistant forage, and supporting pollinators with blue flowers. The result: continuous soil coverage across all four seasons from a single fall planting.
Category
Specialty
Type
Winter Rye & Chicory Blend
Scientific Name
Secale cereale + Cichorium intybus
Zones
3-8
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
A two-phase cover and forage system that provides year-round soil coverage through seasonal species succession. Winter Rye dominates fall through spring—germinating in near-freezing conditions, preventing erosion, scavenging nitrogen, and suppressing weeds. As Rye completes its lifecycle in late spring, perennial Chicory takes over for summer and fall—its 10-18 inch taproot mining deep minerals, providing drought-resistant forage, and supporting pollinators with blue flowers. The result: continuous soil coverage across all four seasons from a single fall planting.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Plant in Fall (Sept-Oct)
Step 2
No specific fertilizer requirement
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake lightly and roll/firm bed
Step 5
Rainfall usually sufficient for fall
Step 6
Rye emerges in 3-7 days; Chicory in 7-14 days
Best For
Year-round soil coverage from a single fall planting|Transition plantings on new or degraded land|Homestead and small farm multi-season forage|Wildlife habitat with both winter cover and summer forage|Erosion control through all seasons|Soil improvement (shallow Rye roots + deep Chicory taproot)|Cover crop programs that want perennial establishment without spring replanting
FAQs
1.
What is sheep fescue?
A winter rye and chicory blend combines cereal winter rye (Secale cereale) with forage chicory (Cichorium intybus) for a dual-purpose planting that provides winter cover crop benefits and perennial forage establishment in a single seeding. Winter rye germinates quickly in cold conditions and provides fall/winter erosion control, while chicory establishes its deep taproot during the cool season and becomes the dominant perennial forage once winter rye completes its lifecycle in late spring.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Plant in late summer to early fall (August-October) in USDA zones 4-7. This timing allows winter rye to establish before winter and chicory to begin root development during the cool season. The winter rye component germinates at soil temperatures as low as 34°F, so later plantings (October-November) are possible, though chicory establishment benefits from earlier planting when soil temperatures are still above 50°F for active root growth.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Winter rye dominates the stand through fall, winter, and early spring, providing erosion control and weed suppression. In late spring, winter rye bolts, produces seed heads, and dies—it is an annual grain that completes its lifecycle in one season. As winter rye declines, chicory (which has been quietly establishing its deep taproot underneath) takes over as the dominant plant. By midsummer of year one, the stand transitions to perennial chicory forage.
4.
What is the seeding rate for a winter rye and chicory blend?
Typical blend rates are 40-60 lbs winter rye + 2-4 lbs chicory per acre. For small areas, approximately 1-1.5 lbs winter rye + 0.05-0.1 lbs chicory per 1,000 sq ft. Winter rye seed is large and heavy; chicory seed is very small. Mix thoroughly before broadcasting. Plant on a firm seedbed at 0.5-1 inch depth for winter rye—the chicory seed settles into the soil surface naturally at this depth, which is appropriate for its smaller size.
5.
Can livestock graze a winter rye and chicory blend?
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 advantages of this blend over planting winter rye or chicory alone?
Planting them together solves each species' weakness. Winter rye alone provides only temporary cover with no perennial forage—you must replant every year. Chicory alone establishes slowly and leaves soil exposed during its first fall/winter. Combined, winter rye provides immediate cover and weed suppression while chicory develops its root system protected underneath. The result is year-round ground cover transitioning to a productive perennial forage stand, all from a single planting.