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Bahiagrass is drought resistant turf. It does well in lawns and along highways, and its best used in sunny areas in warm humid regions. Its roots extend to 8 feet deep.
In Florida, bahiagrass survives in level areas with no irrigation, but often fails on sandy embankments. It can also be ruined by excess watering, when none is required, and by excess fertilization. Bahiagrass normally goes semidormant during winter, yet people sometimes fertilize and water it to keep it green in winter, and thereby encourage weed populations. There are no postemergence herbicides for grassy weeds in bahiagrass, which is a problem. Most weed problems in bahiagrass could be avoided by proper seed establishment and timely mowing. The large state agencies responsible for maintenance of utility turf struggle to find funds to keep bahiagrass mown properly. In summer its rapid vertical growth and exuberant seedhead production are remarkable.
The Argentine variety of bahiagrass is superior to Pensacola for use as turf in south Florida. It has a more abundant root system and is lower growing than Pensacola. Unfortunately, Argentine winterkills more readily than Pensacola, thus Pensacola is more often used in southeastern United States other than Florida. For most turf purposes, seed should be planted in the spring at about 100 pounds per acre in clean seedbeds, incorporated 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep (6 to 12 mm) deep, and pressed in. Straw mulch is helpful, cast on the surface at 2 tons per acre and lightly disked in. In Florida, no irrigation is need to bring the seedlings out of the ground. Fertilization should be postponed until about the 5th week after planting, or after seedlings have begun to tiller, and have adventitious roots. Soon, within 2 months after planting, or whenever weeds have begun to be competitive, the area should be mown. |
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Bahiagrass Links The Bahiagrass Site Probably the only bahiagrass website in the Universe. Tells the benefits of bahiagrass cultivars, and other warm-season turfgrass species. Grama Mato Grosso Cuesta Jardins On-line (Brasil). Mole Crickets page Univ. Florida Entomology and Nematology Department's mole cricket knowledge base. |
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