How to Grow Bahia Grass from Seed

 

The botanical name of Bahia grass is Paspalum notatum and is a perennial grass that is often used for grazing pastures and as a low-maintenance, warm-season lawn grass. Actually there are a few types of Bahia grass to choose. Where does Bahia grass grow best? The Bahia grass grows in USDA plant hardiness zones eight through eleven and you can plant the Bahia grass on its own or overseed it over your cool-season grass.

 

Bahia Grass Info

Growing Bahia grass has many benefits. The Bahia grass is very low maintenance and the plant actually requires minimal irrigation and fertilization. The Bahia grass can and even prefers to grow in acidic soil, although the plant can adapt to many soil types, including sandy soil. The Bahia grass is thick and can withstand traffic, yet it is not prone to forming thatch.

Meanwhile there are a few downsides to consider. The Bahia grass grows aggressively and it has an extensive root system, which simply means it can be challenging to fully eliminate the grass if you decide you no longer want the plant. The plant will die back in cool weather and doesn't grow in the shade. It can be more challenging to mow than some other species of grass.

If you decide this species is right for your garden, there are actually a few types of Bahia grass to consider. The common Bahia grass is light green in color and has a coarse texture. The Argentine Bahia grass has a darker green color and wider blades of grass. Also the Pensacola Bahia grass cultivar is the most cold-tolerant cultivar and it grows with taller and thinner blades.

 

How to Grow Bahia Grass from Seed

The Bahia grass seeds can actually take some time to germinate, so it is very vital to know how to plant the Bahia grass seed to grow a successful lawn. You can start with a soil test and then amend the soil to add nutrients and adjust the soil pH levels as recommended by the results. Actually the best time to plant Bahia grass is in the spring. The Bahia grass seeds won't grow in cold weather, and a spring planting gives the grass time to get established before fall. You can plant at other times of the year in warmer climates, such as southern Florida.

Furthermore, purchase a quality Bahia grass seed and then check the product label for seeding rates. The actual seeding rates can vary depending on the quality of the seed, and you may need to apply more seed if you are overseeding a Bahia lawn over a cool-season grass. For the Pensacola cultivar, the general recommendation is to seed twelve to fifteen pounds of Bahia grass seed per acre.

Remove any weeds and then level the lawn area. You can use a seed spreader to spread the Bahia grass seed or spread the Bahia grass seed by hand in a smaller area. Then, use a lawn roller to go over the seeds and soil. Water the Bahia grass seeds right away using a gentle spray so that the seeds don't get washed away. 

 

How to Care for Bahia Grass

Keep the soil and Bahia grass seeds moist by irrigating for 5 to ten minutes multiple times throughout the day. Some Bahia grass seeds will germinate quickly, but others will take much longer. In fact, it can take up to thirty days for just about half of the Bahia grass seeds to germinate. Once the Bahia grass starts to grow, you can decrease irrigation to once per day and then just 2 to 3 times per week. Once it is fully established, you only need to irrigate as needed during dry conditions.

Once the plant is established, the grass is fairly low maintenance. Mow the Bahia grass to keep the blades about 2 to 4 inches tall. If you allow the Bahia grass to grow without mowing, it will go to seed and spread. Fertilize the lawn each year once it is established. 2 to 4 applications are sufficient.

 

Some of the Things You Will Need

The following are some of the things you will need:

Fertilizer

 Soil test

Seed spreader

Lawn mower

Soil amendments

Lawn roller

Bahia grass seed