Pensacola Bahia Grass Seed

Detailed Description

Pensacola Bahia is a perennial grass native to South and North America, known for its flexibility as a ground cover. It has a low-growing, prostrate growth habit and a strong root system that spreads slowly by stolons.

Ideal for lawns, pastures, sporting grounds, and erosion control, it is grown and planted on more acres than any other Bahia variety. Pensacola Bahia grass is suited to low maintenance areas.

It features long, narrow leaves with an extensive root system that can reach depths of 7-10 feet. Pensacola Bahia thrives in tropical conditions, handling long dry spells and deeply soaked soils typical of tropical wet seasons. It is also shade tolerant, making it suitable for areas with trees, shrubs, or other structures.

During winter, Bahia enters dormancy and turns brownish-tan but stays green longer than Bermudagrass and greens up earlier in spring. In colder areas, Pensacola produces more early and late-season forage growth than other Bahia varieties and has greater cold-tolerance.

Pensacola Bahia is a competitive and aggressive grower, effectively overpowering weeds or unwanted growth. It provides a fine, bright green blade that enhances any area, whether a farm paddock or a residential yard.

Optimal pH

Test your soil before planting Bahiagrass. It thrives in poor, sandy soils with limited nutrients and a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. In soils with pH above 7.0, Bahia suffers iron deficiencies, resulting in a pale yellow color.

Sowing Tips

Pensacola Bahia grows best on fertile, light sandy, and acidic soils but will also grow on less fertile and clay soils. It is not well-adapted to alkaline soils. To ensure the best coverage and avoid seed wastage, mix with topsoil/sandy loam and use an appropriate seed spreader.

Optimal Planting Time

Sow early in spring for rapid growth acceleration, though germination can occur in climates with mild autumn and winter temperatures.

Germination

The average germination period is 28 days. During hotter summer months with plentiful rainfall, germination can occur in as quickly as 10-14 days. Higher soil temperatures coupled with moist conditions enhance germination.

Water

Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass is well-suited to large, less-maintained areas with limited irrigation and is tolerant of moderate salinity.

Fertilising

Established Bahia lawns require limited fertilisers and irrigation. Feed according to soil test recommendations. For grazing use, regular fertilising is necessary. Consider McKays Slow Release Fertiliser and Granular Soil Wetter.

Grazing

Suitable for permanent pasture for intensive grazing, turf, and hay production, especially in higher rainfall areas. Combines well with legumes for added nutritional value. It withstands heavy herd trampling and recovers well if overgrazed.

Mowing Frequency

As a fast grower, mow at the recommended height of 2 to 3 inches to improve stress tolerance and encourage deep roots.

Disadvantages of Pensacola Bahia

• Develops more seed heads than other Bahia varieties.
• Requires regular mowing if used for lawn due to rapid growth.
• Aggressive nature may lead to unwanted spreading; consider physical borders to contain growth.
• Stays green only during active growth; extended drought causes dormancy and color change.

Seed & Package Details

100% Pensacola Bahia Seed. Independently tested with 85% Min Germination, 98% purity. A seed testing certificate is available upon request.

Ideal Usage

Pastures, sporting ovals, residential lawns, erosion control.

Pasture Seed and Animal Health

When purchasing seeds through McKays Grass Seeds, the buyer acknowledges that McKays Grass Seeds is not liable for any animal health issues that may arise from our pasture seeds. It is the buyer’s responsibility to contact a certified agronomist to ensure they are purchasing the correct seeds, in the correct quantities for their property and animals.

View Key Features

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us and we’ll help you out.