Varieties of Bahia Grass For the North Florida Area
Common Bahia Grass:
Common Bahia grass is not normally recommended for use as a lawn grass
because of its coarse texture and
relatively light coloring.
It is also extremely cold
sensitive and is not suitable for areas with winter
frosts.
Common
Bahia has a very open or sparse growth habit making it more susceptible to
infestation of weed species in the area than other
varieties.
Avoid Common Bahia grass if
possible.
Argentine Bahia:
Wider leaf
blades and a deeper
green coloring than that of the species make Argentine Bahia
a good choice of the available varieties of
Bahia for use as a lawn.
It is more
tolerant of cold temperatures than common Bahia, tolerating soil
temperatures down to 25 degrees without being killed off. (Do not use in areas where soil temperatures drop
below 20 degrees)
Argentine Bahia also has
good insect and disease
resistance, average
fertilizer needs, good
traffic tolerance and low water requirements typical of
Bahia.
Argentine Bahia has good shade
tolerance but still needs some direct
sun throughout the day to thrive.
Argentine Bahia is tolerant of a wide range of soils but will grow
best in slightly acidic sandy soils.
Pensacola Bahia:
The most widely grown variety of Bahia today due to its extensive use in
pastures and roadsides throughout the southeastern United States.
Can be planted further north due to its increased cold
tolerance although still a warm season grass for southern states.
Pensacola Bahia has a slimmer leaf blade and produces more
seed heads than Argentine Bahia reducing its appeal as the choice of Bahia for lawn grasses.
Pensacola Bahia's extensive root system, increased stress tolerance, drought
tolerance and ability to take heavy traffic with minimal damage make it an
excellent choice for roadside plantings or areas where soil erosion is problematic.
Each of the varieties of Bahia
will vary slightly on the characteristics of varieties of Bahia Grass listed
here but will still hold close to these same general tendencies.
Don't think Bahia grass sod is right for you?
Checkout our the other warm season Varities of Sod for the
Jacksonville | St. Augustine | North Florida Are
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