Before buying sod, including pieces, pallets or plugs, please read our Sod Disclaimer.
Bahia Maintenance
Weed Control
Because Bahia is not a very thick grass, weeds can easily grow and be a problem. To control them, use the herbicide Trimec on your lawn every spring and fall. It will kill the majority of weeds – but not your Bahia grass. Trimec is a very affordable lawn spray or granular and you can find it at all of our Big Earth Landscape Supply stores.
WARNING: DO NOT USE PRODUCTS CONTAINING ATRAZINE ON BAHIA! Atrazine will kill your Bahia grass.
Quick links to our products: Trimec Granular Weed and Feed or Trimec Liquid Concentrate
Insect Control
When ants and other insects like grubs show up on your lawn, you can use a basic ant killer to manage the problem. Fortunately, you won’t have to do this very often and you’ll find a variety of great products at all Big Earth Landscape Supply stores. It is always recommended to take precautionary measures in dealing with insect control.
Mowing
In the winter Bahia goes dormant so you won’t have to mow very often. However, you do need to watch for winter weeds. If you see them, spray your lawn with Trimec and keep the weeds mowed so that they can’t germinate. In the spring, your Bahia will produce seeds, which grow higher than your normal grass. Let them grow then cut them. This will help your lawn to re-seed and remain healthy and green. In the summer when there is more rain, you should mow once a week, cutting your grass to a height of about 2”.
Seeding
We recommend buying a 5lb or 50lb bag of Bahia seed every spring and spreading it out very sparingly on your lawn. Where grass is looking sparse use more but be sure to spread it everywhere. This will help your lawn stay full and vibrant. It takes about 6 months for seeds to germinate so be patient when seeding. You’ll find Bahia seeds at every Big Earth Landscape Supply store.
Fertilizer
For really healthy roots and growth you should feed Bahia grass at least once a year. To achieve maximum greenness, feed it at least twice a year, depending on the health of your soil. We recommend using Milorganite in the early fall and late spring. It’s inexpensive – one bag should cover almost 2500 square feet – and it’s full of nitrogen for green.
Big Earth Landscape Supply sells Milorganite at all of our stores.
Irrigation
In the warmer months, unless it rains, you need to water every day for the first two weeks your new grass is down. You can stop irrigating when you try to pull the grass up with your hand and you can’t. Once your lawn is strongly established, you can water once a week or whenever you think necessary.
When Your Grass Arrives
Don’t be surprised because when you first see your Bahia sod. It will look dry, clumpy and dead. Don’t worry! It’s just that the sod is dormant and just came out of a cow pasture in the middle of a field that hasn’t been irrigated.
If you follow the irrigation instructions above, your lawn will start looking great in about 30 days. As you mow and irrigate, the clumps will settle down and your lawn will become smooth, green and truly spectacular. If you’re unsure, call us. While we don’t warranty the lawn, be assured it is certified Bahia and came out of the pasture healthy, cut fresh, and has not sat on a truck somewhere for days. Your patience over the first month your new lawn is down will be richly rewarded.
IFAS Literature on Florida Bahia Lawns: Bahia Grass Fact Sheet
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