Bahia grass maintenance regiment is important to keeping your sod grass healthy and to prevent grass insect damage, sod disease damage, and free of weeds. There are four major components to Bahia grass maintenance: watering, fertilizing, mowing and treatments to prevent disease, insect or weed damage.
WATERING
Watering is an important part of proper Bahia grass maintenance. Bahia grass is drought tolerant and can go for long periods of time without water. It will turn brown and become very thin and sparse allowing for weeds to grow. Upon the first watering or rain it will turn green and begin to grow again. This is typically an application of 1/2 – 3/4″ of water to your entire lawn of grass. For most rotary sprinkler zones this is 40-50 minutes and 10 minutes for spray zones. These watering instructions are a rule of thumb but there are also other factors to consider. Sod installation of Bahia grass in the shade requires less water than a sod installed in full sun. Soil which hold moisture also requires less water than well drained sandy soil. A new sod installation in Jacksonville or a new sod installation in St. Augustine Florida requires a different watering schedule for new sod until it roots in and becomes established. If your new sod is not rooting in lack of water may be the reason why.
FERTILIZER
There are several factors which determine the amount of fertilizer for proper Bahia grass maintenance. Fertilizer frequency is determined by the location of the sod grass. Grass in full sun requires more fertilizer than grass sod planted in partial shade. Soil conditions also effect the rate of fertilization required. Soil containing organic material (soil that is black and when pressed sticks together) requires less fertilizer than sod grass on sandy soil. Newly installed sod also requires more fertilizer than an established Bahia grass sod installation. With this information in mind sod installation in Jacksonville Florida and sod installation in St. Augustine should apply a nitrogen based fertilizer 2-4 times a year beginning after the last freeze in late March early April and the last fertilization of the year in late fall at a rate of 2 pound N / 1000 Sq Ft of grass. Other macro nutrients are necessary for a healthy sod development and sod growth. A complete sod fertilizer for established sod grass with a slow release nitrogen is best. Too much nitrogen on newly installed sod will burn new roots making it difficult for your new sod to root in. Lawn started fertilizer has less nitrogen and more phosphorus which promotes root growth and development. When fertilizing your own sod be sure to follow all manufactures instructions or hire a professional spray company for all of your fertilization needs.
Bahai is a pasture grass and can survive without fertilization, again it will be thin and allow for weeds if not fertilized. It can make for a nice lawn if fertilized like other warm season grasses.
MOWING
Mowing is also another important factor in proper Bahai grass maintenance. Bahai grows best when allowed to grow to seed (the tall y-shaped seed pods). Because the seeds are self sowing when you mow your lawn you are actually helping the seeds to spread and with proper watering and fertilization will help with germination and establishing a fuller lawn.
PEST CONTROL
Pest control against disease, insect and weeds is a very important part of Bahai grass maintenance. You can implement your own Bahia grass maintenance regimen using chemicals from big box stores or hire a professional spray company who will be proactive in preventing disease, insect and weed damage to your Bahia lawn.
If you need sod installation in Jacksonville or sod installation in St Augustine Florida one of our staff members at Jacksonville Sod Services would be happy to schedule an appointment for a free estimate. Jacksonville Sod Services is a Jacksonville sod installation company and sod installation in St. Augustine Florida. Call us to schedule and appointment, ask about Jacksonville sod prices or our Bahia sod for sale.