ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

BAHIAGRASS

Bahiagrass is valued for outstanding drought and heat tolerance and an ability to
thrive where many lawn grasses falter. Its use in lawns occurs in a very limited region
of the southeastern United States. Within this area, Bahiagrass produces a relatively
durable, low-growing, low-maintenance turf. When your lawn goals, location and soil
complement Bahia's natural preferences, this resilient grass may be an excellent
choice.

 Bahiagrass at a Glance
 Bahiagrass Basics
 Other Bahia Characteristics to Consider
 Bahiagrass Lawn Care Calendar
BAHIAGRASS AT A GLANCE
 Warm-season grass.
 Prefers full sun.
 Suitable for Deep South and Gulf Coast lawns.
 Tolerant of heat and drought.
 Low water and nutrient requirements.

BAHIAGRASS BASICS
Bahiagrass first came to the United States in 1914 for use as a pasture grass in the
Southeast.1 This South American native is still used extensively in agriculture,
conservation and erosion control programs. 2 As its origin suggests, Bahia is a warm-
season grass. Its most active growth occurs from late spring through the hot summer
months. In its proper climate, this perennial grass persists year after year.

A naturally deep root system makes Bahiagrass very drought-tolerant, even in the
sandy soils common to the Southeast. Its natural texture is more coarse than many
regional grasses, particularly cool-season grasses common in northern zones.
Though Bermudagrass has greater drought tolerance in sand, few other warm-
season grasses match Bahia on this strength. Bahiagrass prefers full sun, but it
tolerates limited shade better than Bermuda. It also has better tolerance for poorly
drained soils.2

Since its pasture-grass beginnings, some Bahiagrass varieties have proven

themselves for lawn use in the heat- and humidity-prone Southeast. Its lawn use
extends from Florida through the southern Coastal Planes to the Texas Gulf Coast.
For homeowners in this challenging turf zone, these Bahiagrass varieties offer
benefits other warm-season grasses don't.

Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass Grass Seed builds on core Bahiagrass strengths.

It excels even in poor soil conditions to form durable, dense, drought-resistant lawns.
Its deep, extensive root system enhances tolerance to heat and cold, giving
Pensacola better winter hardiness and improved turf quality than common Bahia.

Pennington Argentine Bahiagrass Grass Seed has a broader range, finer leaf texture
and darker, more attractive lawn color. Its deep roots and drought and disease
tolerance combine with very low growth and low maintenance needs.

OTHER BAHIA CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER

Bahiagrass seed germinates slowly but establishes well, so you can enjoy the
benefits of starting a lawn from seed. Common Bahia's naturally open growth habit
makes it vulnerable to weeds when young. Part of its slow, steady growth comes
through short, above-ground stems known as stolons. The stolons root at very short
intervals and eventually form dense, durable, all-purpose turf.

As with Zoysia grass and most warm-season grasses, Bahia stays green only during
active growth. Periods of extended drought bring on dormancy and an unnaturally
dark or tan color, but Bahia withstands these stresses better than other grasses. It's
especially well-suited to large areas with limited irrigation and minimal maintenance.
Once stresses subside, Bahiagrass lawns bounce back quickly.

As winter arrives, Bahia enters an annual dormant period and turns brownish tan.
Even so, it stays green longer than Bermudagrass and greens up earlier than
Bermuda in spring. Bahiagrass lawn owners who want green lawns regardless of the
season can overseed in autumn with cool-season ryegrasses for green winter lawn
color.

BAHIAGRASS LAWN CARE CALENDAR

As a warm-season grass, Bahia operates on a different timetable than northern
grasses for month-by-month lawn tasks. But its limited range puts it on a different
schedule than many southern grasses as well. Seeding is best done in spring as
growth accelerates. Overseed existing thin Bahiagrass lawns at the same time.
However, the warm, moderate winters in Bahia's limited area offer some flexibility.
Fall seedings in