PHOENIX — As desert dwellers, we enjoy sunshine year-round—but our lawns don’t always thrive the same way. Bermuda grass, the summer staple in Phoenix yards, goes dormant once cooler nights arrive in fall, turning a yellowish brown.

That’s when many Valley homeowners either choose to "go blonde" with the dormant Bermuda, or overseed with winter rye grass, keeping their lawns green and lush through the cooler months.

If you choose the greener route, the timing—and the method—matter. Overseed too early and the heat scorches the rye; too late and the seeds will be slow to germinate and fill in, leaving bare patches. Here’s what you need to know to make the transition a success.

The ideal window for transitioning to winter rye is late September through mid-October. Valley overnight tempera

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