Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) is a popular warm season grass known for its low maintenance requirements and tolerance of heat, drought, and low soil fertility. With its coarse texture and ability to crowd out weeds, Bahia grass makes an excellent choice for low maintenance lawns, pastures, roadsides, and erosion control. This comprehensive guide will provide tips and best practices for successfully establishing and maintaining a hardy Bahia grass lawn or pasture.
Choosing the Right Bahia Grass Variety
When selecting Bahia grass, it’s important to choose a variety suited to your climate and intended use. Some popular varieties include:
Pensacola Bahia Grass
- Cold hardy and dense growing
- Recommended for lawns and pastures across the Southeastern US
- Withstands mowing height as low as 2 inches
Argentine Bahia Grass
- Very coarse and aggressive spreading
- Best suited for pastures and roadside planting
- Tolerates very low mowing (1.5 inches)
Paraguay Bahia Grass
- Finer leaf texture than Argentine varieties
- Good choice for lawns with mowing height around 3 inches
- Not as cold tolerant as Pensacola
Tifton 9 Bahia Grass
- Hybrid between Pensacola and Argentine varieties
- Excellent disease resistance
- Handles closer mowing (2-2.5 inches)
When selecting a variety, consider your climate, intended use, and desired maintenance level. Seed suppliers can provide guidance on performance of specific varieties in your area.
Preparing the Site for Planting
Proper site preparation is key to successfully establishing Bahia grass. This vigorous, spreading grass performs best when planted into a firm, weed-free seedbed.
Eliminate Existing Vegetation
Use herbicides (glyphosate) or tillage to eliminate any existing grass, weeds, or vegetation in the area to be planted. Bahia seedlings will struggle to compete against already established plants.
Improve Soil Conditions
While Bahia grass is able to grow in low fertility soils, improving soil conditions prior to planting will encourage faster establishment and improved vigor. Apply any needed lime to adjust pH to the ideal range of 5.5-6.5. Incorporate organic matter like compost to provide nutrients for initial growth.
Grade and Smooth Seedbed
Eliminate any low or wet spots to ensure good drainage. Use a disk or tiller to smooth and firm up the soil surface prior to seeding. The seedbed should be uniform and free of debris.
Time Planting for Optimal Growing Conditions
Bahia grass performs best when planted during the warm growing season when soil temperatures are above 65°F. Early summer is ideal timing in most regions. Spring and fall planting is possible where winters are mild.
Seeding Bahia Grass
Proper seeding techniques help ensure even stand establishment and rapid spreading of Bahia grass.
Select High Quality Seed
Purchase fresh certified seed from a reputable supplier to maximize germination rates. Avoid cheap seed mixes which may contain weed seeds.
Seed at Recommended Rates
Follow recommended seeding rates for the variety selected. In general, seed at a rate of 20-50 lbs per 10,000 sq ft for lawns, and 40-80 lbs per acre for pastures. Higher seeding rates will produce a thicker, denser stand.
Distribute Seed Evenly
Spread seed using a drop or broadcast spreader. Make two perpendicular passes over the area to ensure even coverage. Take care not to overlap spreads, which can cause uneven growth.
Incorporate Seed Into Soil Surface
Use a drag harrow, cultipacker roller, or light raking to work seed gently into the top 1⁄4” of soil. This helps with seed-soil contact and getting moisture to seeds.
Irrigate to Establish Stand
Keep soil consistently moist with daily, light irrigation until seedlings are up and growing steadily. Gradually reduce watering frequency as grass matures.
Caring for Bahia Grass
With its minimal fertility and water requirements, Bahia grass is lower maintenance than other warm season grasses. However, proper care and mowing will encourage an attractive, dense lawn or pasture.
Fertilization
Apply a complete fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at planting. Fertilize established Bahia grass once or twice per year in spring and summer with 1 lb nitrogen per 1000 sq ft.
Mowing Height
Maintain mowing height from 2-4 inches depending on variety. Never remove more than 1/3 of blade height when mowing to avoid scalping.
Watering Needs
Bahia grass has good drought tolerance but will remain greener and healthier with periodic irrigation during dry periods. Target 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
Weed Control
The dense growth habit of Bahia grass helps suppress weeds. Apply selective herbicides during establishment and spot treat any emerging weeds.
Dethatching
Thatch buildup is uncommon with Bahia grass. But dethatch occasionally by raking or using a verticutter machine if excessive thatch accumulates.
Aeration
Aerate Bahia lawns once per year before peak growing season. This helps provide air, water, and nutrients to the root zone.
Troubleshooting Common Bahia Grass Problems
Proper maintenance and care can avoid most problems with Bahia grass. But occasional issues can arise:
Poor Establishment
If seedlings are slow to establish, ensure proper planting depth, consistent moisture, and reseed thin or bare areas.
Disease Outbreaks
Leaf spot and dollar spot disease can sometimes develop. Improve airflow and drainage. Avoid overwatering.
Brown Patch
Brown patch fungus causes rounded patches of brown, thinning turf. Allow turf to dry out between watering. Apply fungicides if severe.
Weed Encroachment
Preemergent herbicides prevent germination of crabgrass, goosegrass, and other annual summer weeds in Bahia grass.
Insect Damage
Sod webworms and chinch bugs can damage Bahia grass. Apply insecticidal soap or appropriate insecticides if pests are found.
Compaction
Aerating and topdressing with compost helps relieve compacted soils limiting root growth and drainage.
With proper variety selection for your climate and use, appropriate planting techniques, and routine care, Bahia grass can provide an attractive, low maintenance lawn or pasture. Correcting any issues quickly and improving cultural practices will maintain a healthy, dense stand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Bahia Grass
When is the best time to plant Bahia grass?
The ideal time to establish Bahia grass is during early to mid summer when soil temperatures are steadily above 65 F. Bahia seed germinates best at soil temperatures between 65-90 F.
How long does it take for Bahia grass to germinate?
Bahia grass seed can take 10-30 days to germinate, sometimes longer in cooler soil conditions. Keep soils moist to encourage faster germination. Mature Bahia grass may take 6-12 months to fully fill in.
What is the best fertilizer for Bahia grass?
Look for lawn fertilizers with an analysis around 3-1-2, having higher levels of nitrogen to promote growth and spreading. Apply 2-4 lbs of nitrogen per year split over 1-2 applications.
How do you increase the thickness of Bahia grass?
Maintaining proper mowing height, fertilizing, aerating, and dethatching will promote thicker growth. Overseeding with more Bahia seed can also help fill in bare or thin spots.
How short can you mow Bahia grass?
Different Bahia grass varieties can tolerate mowing heights ranging from 1.5-4 inches. Check recommendations for your specific variety. Never remove more than 1/3 of total blade height when mowing.
Does Bahia grass go dormant in winter?
Bahia grass will go dormant and turn brown after first frost in northern areas of its growing range. It may remain semi-dormant or evergreen in warmer southern climates.
How do you revive Bahia grass?
To bring Bahia grass out of winter dormancy, give it a light fertilization when green-up begins in spring. Aerate, dethatch, and water thoroughly. It will green back up as soil temperatures rise.
Is Bahia grass toxic to dogs?
Bahia grass is non-toxic for dogs. Its coarse, abrasive leaf blades can be uncomfortable on bare paws. But dogs can otherwise play and walk freely on healthy, established Bahia grass lawns or pastures.
Does Bahia grass spread?
Bahia grass spreads aggressively by above-ground stolons (runners) and rhizomes. It will readily spread into neighboring areas, lawns, or flower beds if not contained by an edge or barrier.
Is Bermuda grass better than Bahia grass?
Bermuda generally has a finer leaf texture and tighter growth habit compared to coarse Bahia grass. But Bahia is more drought tolerant and lower maintenance overall. Choose based on climate and maintenance preferences.
Conclusion
With proper variety selection and planting techniques along with routine care and maintenance, Bahia grass can provide an attractive, low maintenance turf. Its ability to thrive in heat, humidity, infertile soils, and under drought conditions makes it an excellent choice for warm southern climates. Pay attention to mowing height, fertilization, irrigation, and weed control. Troubleshoot any issues promptly to maintain a dense, resilient Bahia grass lawn or pasture.