Bahia Grass Seed - Argentine
About...
Argentine Bahia Grass is a durable, low-maintenance warm-season grass known for its dark green color and excellent drought resistance. Predominately used across the Gulf Coast and Southern Coastal Plain, it establishes well in sandy soils, making it a popular choice for both residential lawns.
- Adaptability: Thrives in acidic, sandy soils and tolerates the heat. Not as cold tolerant as Pensacoloa Bahia. Has a finer, denser, and darker green texture. However, it is primarily prized for its ability to handle wet, poorly drained soils and temporary flooding.
- Drought Tolerance: Known for an extensive root system that can reach 3 – 6 feet deep, requiring little to no supplemental watering or fertilizer.
- Low Maintenance: Argentine Bahia is a highly resilient, warm-season turfgrass renowned for being one of the lowest-maintenance options available for lawns and pastures. It thrives in the Southern and Coastal United States, particularly in sandy, acidic soils, and provides reliable ground coverage with minimal water or fertilizer input
- Growth Rate: Grows aggressively, typically spreading via short, above-ground stems (stolons) to reach a height of 12 - 24 inches if left unmowed.
- Seeding Rate: For new lawns, use 5 to 10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. For pastures, 25 - 50 lbs per acre is recommended.
Bahiagrass is a warm-season grass that produces more grazing in the summer than winter mainly for cattle. Bahiagrass is established by seeds and can tolerate drought, sporadic flooding, low soil fertility, and close grazing. Most forage production occurs from April through September. Stands can be overseeded with cool season annuals in the fall to extend the grazing season.
- Application or Use: Lawns, Pasture, Ground Cover, Livestock Grazing, Cover Crop, Erosion Control
- Germination Time: 21 - 30 days, under optimal conditions
- Growing Locations: Warm Season Zone
- Height: Lawn: 3 - 5 inches - Pasture: 8 - 20 inches
- Sunlight Requirements: 8+ hours, full sun for best results
- Tolerance: Drought tolerance, and exceptional insect and disease resistance; moderate tolerance to sandy soils.
- When to Plant: Recommended planting time is spring and summer when night time temperatures are consistently 65+ degrees and 3 months prior to first frost.
- Watering: It is highly drought-tolerant, entering a brown, dormant state during extreme dry spells rather than dying, but it prefers roughly 1 - 1.5 inches of water per week.
- Fertilization: Requires very little; one application in spring and one in early summer is usually sufficient.
Planting Guide
SOWING TEMPERATURE
65F+
WHEN TO PLANT
Recommended planting time is spring and summer when night time tempera...more Recommended planting time is spring and summer when night time temperatures are consistently 65+ degrees and 3 months prior to first frost...less
AVERAGE GERM TIME
21 - 30 days
DAYS TO FIRST MOWING
4 - 8 weeks
PLANTING DEPTH
1/4 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or drill
MOWING HEIGHT
3 to 5 inches
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
ZONES
7 - 11
Grass Specifications
IDEAL FOR
Lawns, Gulf Coast, Southern Coastal Plain
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Warm season
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Fast
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Low
ACIDIC SOIL TOLERANCE
Excellent
SALINITY TOLERANCE
Good
COLD TOLERANCE
Moderate
SHADE TOLERANCE
Poor
WEAR TOLERANCE
High
THATCH TENDENCY
Low
FERTILIZER NEEDS
Low
HEIGHT
12 - 24 inches
SEASON
Perennial
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pensacola Adaptable?
It thrives in acidic, sandy soils and tolerates both cold and heat, making it more cold-tolerant than other Bahiagrass varieties. Used for low-maintenace lawnbs, roadsides, and pastures.
Where Is it Grown?
It is found throughout the South, preferring slightly acidic, lighter textured soils. It is known for being a hardy, deep-rooted perennial warm-season grass ideal for sandy, nutrient-poor soils in the Southern U.S. growing from NC to California.
Is It Drought Tolerant?
Bahia is known for an extensive root system that can reach 7 – 10 feet deep, requiring little to no supplemental watering or fertilizer. This makes it a low maintenance grass except for frequent mowing.
Does It Grow In The Shade?
For best results grow 8+ hours, full sun.
What Is The Seeding Rate & Planting Time?
For new lawns, use 4 to 8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. For pastures, 25 - 50 lbs per acre is recommended. Recommended planting time is spring and summer when night time temperatures are consistently 65+ degrees and 3 months prior to first frost.
What Is Argentine Bahia?
It is a durable, low-maintenance warm-season grass known for its dark green color and excellent drought resistance. Predominately used across the Gulf Coast and Southern Coastal Plains.
Is It Used For Lawns More Than Pensacola?
It establishes well in sandy soils, making it a popular choice for both residential lawns. Features wide, broad leaves with an attractive, dark-green color which is more appealing for home lawns compared to Pensacola.
Is It Adaptable To Various Climates?
Thrives in acidic, sandy soils and tolerates the heat. Not as cold tolerant as Pensacoloa. Has a finer, denser, and darker green texture. However, it is primarily prized for its ability to handle wet, poorly drained soils and temporary flooding.
What Is It Used For?
Argentine Bahia is used for: lawns, pastures, ground cover, livestock grazing, cover crops and erosion control. It needs 8+ hours of full sun to grow well.
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