Bahiagrass Seeding and Propagation

Bahiagrass New Lawn

Seeding a new bahiagrass lawn should be done during the spring or early summer months. A bahiagrass lawn can also be planted in the fall via the use of a nurse crop. Annual Rye is commonly used as a nurse crop when preparing a seed bed in the fall. Annual rye will quickly establish itself and anchor the bed and other components in place, This will allow the Bahiagrass to germinate and establish itself once Spring and Summer arrive.

bahiaseed
Bahia Seed
Bahia Seed - Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Prepare the Seed bed, Grade, smooth and level the soil. Remove debris such as stones twigs etc. Lightly till the first several inches of soil, This will help loosen the soil and provide a good foundation for your grass seed. Work in a good starter fertilizer. Fertilizers such as a 28-24-6 would be ideal. You need a fertilizer that has a generous amount of nitrogen (28) and a higher rate of phosphorous then usual (24). Phosphorous will encourage vigorous root growth in your new lawn. This will help in to establishing itself into a dense turf. Spread the bahiagrass seed at the rate of 5-10 pounds pound per 1000 square feet. Rake the seed in to a depth of ½”. If needed, use straw as a light mulch to prevent erosion. Water daily for 30 days to give the seed a good chance to germinate.

 

Over Seeding an Existing Bahiagrass Lawn

Cut the existing lawn as close as possible without scalping it. Rake or scratch the soil and apply the seed over it, follow mulching and watering instructions as listed above.

Sprigging and Plugging Bahiagrass

It is not recommended that Bahiagrass be propagated via sprigging or plugging. Bahiagrass is not an aggressive spreading grass and using these techniques will result in a splotchy lawn with clumps of grass separated by bare spots.

Do not use any weed and feed fertilizers or weed preventative applications when seeding a lawn