How to Grow Bahia Grass

Bahia grass is desirable because of its tolerance to drought and its ability to grow with little to no fertilizing. When growing Bahia grass from seed it is possible to save a lot of money, but you will sacrifice time spent cultivating it. Bahia grass grown from sod will require a lot of work up front and will cost more money, but the cultivation of the sod is much easier.

Things You'll Need

• Bahia grass seeds
• Broadcast fertilizer spreader
• 16-4-8 fertilizer
• Bahia grass sod
• Sod roller

Instructions

Grow Bahia Grass From Seed

1. Plant or seed Bahia grass in the spring or early summer so it will become established before winter.

2. Put Bahia grass seeds in a fertilizer spreader. Adjust the spreader setting so it all the way open. Push the spreader in the same manner as you would when fertilizing a lawn, overlapping the tires on the tracks from the previous run.

3. Spread a layer of peat moss over the seed. Cover all the seeds to keep them from drying out or blowing away.

4. Water the seeds several times a day to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Continue to water the seeds several times a day until the grass is established. Reduce watering to one long water cycle or two short cycles when the Bahia grass has grown in and is fully established.

5. Fertilize the grass after it is no longer dormant in the spring. Use a fertilizer that is 16 nitrogen, 4 phosphorous and 8 potassium. Follow the manufacturer instructions for applying the fertilizer.

Grow Bahia Grass From Sod

1. Lay down pieces of sod so that the edges butt up against each other. Lay all of the sod on the day you have it delivered so it doesn't dry out and die.

2. Roll over the newly laid sod with a sod roller. Help the roots to take to the soil when you roll over the grass and compress the sod to the soil.

3. Water the sod two to three times a day until it is well established. Keep the grass moist and do not let it dry out.

4. Reduce watering to one long session or two short sessions daily once the sod has completely taken.

5. Apply fertilizer each spring. Use a 16-4-8 fertilizer for the best results.