In this situation planting a temporary lawn will provide erosion control and reduce the amount of dust and mud that will be tracked into the house. The choices for a temporary lawn include small grains such as wheat, rye and oats, and cool season lawngrasses such as tall fescue and ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass is a good choice because it germinates quickly, is readily available and produces a nice looking lawn. See the table on page 4 for more information. September and October are good months for planting ryegrass.
Rye is a good choice for late winter planting.
It will germinate when it may be too cool for other lawngrasses. Minimal seedbed preparation is needed for temporary lawns. Temporary lawns seldom require fertilization. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The mention of any commercial product in this web site does not imply its endorsement by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service over other products not named, nor does the omission imply that they are not satisfactory.