Bahiagrass

Product Overview

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a warm-season perennial, stoloniferous sod-forming grass prized for its resilience in drought-prone, infertile, and sandy soils. It thrives in full sun, establishes easily from seed, and remains green later into dry periods, making it a top choice for low-input turf, pasture, erosion control, and wildlife habitat.

• **Drought Performance:** Deep roots and heat tolerance allow it to outperform many pasture grasses under dry conditions—ideal for infertile, sandy sites :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
• **Low Maintenance:** Easy to establish from seed, requires minimal irrigation and low fertility to sustain moderate yields; aggressively competes with weeds :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
• **Erosion Control:** Forms a dense sod via stolons, stabilizing steep banks, coastlines, and highway shoulders even in drought :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• **Grazing Resilience:** Tolerates heavy, continuous grazing better than many forage grasses; forage quality is moderate but acceptable if kept leafy; supports cattle gains and can be made into hay with supplementation :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• **Wildlife Habitat:** Produces Y-shaped seedheads favored by deer, game birds, and small mammals; clumping growth offers nesting and refuge; blends well with wildflowers/legumes :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• **Ornamental Appeal:** Displays distinctive V-shaped seed heads atop light‑green foliage; cultivars like Argentine offer denser, darker turf suitable for semi-manicured areas or natural meadows :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

Adapted across USDA Zones 7–10 and into transitional regions, bahiagrass tolerates acidic, poorly drained, or sandy soils and even sporadic flooding. It greens early in spring and often maintains growth later than bermudagrass in fall :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

Directions

Seeding:
• Drill 10–15 lb of seed per acre (slightly higher if broadcasting or no-till); plant at ¼–½″ depth :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Best sown in spring once soil temperatures reach ~65 °F; fall seeding possible in warm climates :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

Maintenance:
• Mow to 2.5–4″ to prevent seedhead formation and maintain moderate forage quality :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Fertilize lightly after establishment—annual N applications of 100–200 lb/acre optimize forage; P & K based on soil tests :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Overseed with cool-season grains or legumes for winter grazing if desired—as a clump-forming grass, bahiagrass supports interseeding :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

Termination & Rotation:
• Use sod‑based rotation to suppress pests in subsequent crops (e.g., peanuts, cotton) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Terminate before planting sensitive crops; bahiagrass may persist as volunteer if not managed properly.