How to establish grass?

Can you overseed bermuda grass in Southern IL?

• I have been battling some bermuda grass in my lawn that is mostly tall fescue for a while. I have decided that it is too much effort to fight the bermuda grass. It is patchy. Does bermuda establish well and spread well by overseeding? Which one works the best for that in this part of the country? Killing what I have and starting all over isn't practical. I am talking about a yard that is 2 acres.

• Answer:

  I'm not sure it is warm enough for bermudagrass...it doesn't like temps below 10. I realize you are right on the border......just north of the preferred bermudagrass zone. If you were to try it, you'd have a very short growing season.......brown lawn from early October to late May........7months. The result is a patch work quilt look.....like my lawn, right now brown with large areas of dark green due to difference between the bermuda and tall fescue.....it's ugly. Obviously I quit fighting......sounds like you want to as well. So to answer you, realize overseeding will not work in semi shade to shade areas, the tall fescue wins. To get the best start , seed in warming weather.......May. Bermuda is a warm season grass. Might I suggest Tifway II......better cold tolerance than earlier Tifway.