Bahia sod preperation

cebrowning – posted 03 September 2003 18:49

I am going to sod with Bahai, I have killed all the existing weeds and grass with Spectracide. I would like to know if I should do any other type of preparation.

I live in southeast Florida, I have well drained sandy soils in full sun.

Thoughts?

redbird – posted 04 September 2003 12:09

Carefully consider your decision to use Bahia – it generally makes an unattractive lawn. The grass is stiff and coarse, it thins out to a very open growth pattern – (inviting weed invasion) and it can’t tolerate most selective herbicides. It also goes dormant at the drop of a hat – it recovers easily, but it stresses and browns easily. It also has those amazing, 12″ seed head stalks that make your lawn look like a vacant lot by the last day of a 7 day cutting cycle. The grass may not need mowed more than every 10 – 14 days, but you will be cutting twice a week to keep the seedhead stalks at bay. And no, the Argentine variety is not that much better than the Pensacola. Although the root systems are as deep as 6′ – 7′ I have been told that it is easy to kill with roundup (or even rototilling) if you can’t resist trying it and then change your mind.

Mike

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 05 September 2003 00:12

LOL

But other than that, Mike, how do you feel about it!!

cebrowning – posted 05 September 2003 20:13

I understand why you feel the way you do, so let me explain how I came to this decision. Of course, I am open to anyone’s thoughts on the matter.

I live in South Florida in an area that is actually somewhat dry (14′ above sea level). The soils in my yard are medium sands and very well drained (native, not fill).

I researched four grass types, St. Augustine, Bahia, Sea Isle Paspalum and Zoysia.

St. Augustine is attractive, but takes way too much water, no matter how you train the roots, and it is terrible to walk on.

Sea Isle Paspalum was my real choice, and although it is grown locally, it would cost $3K to sod my yard and I just don’t want to pay that much for grass. I tried some plugs and they don’t seem to be doing much and the weeds out compete the grass (easily).

Zoysia is my next choice, and I am still considering using it in a separate part of my yard, but once again it cost 4 times what the bahia costs.

Bahia is the most drought tolerant of any grass that I know of. I’m using it in an area where I will not spend as much time walking on it and so I’m less concerned about texture.

I would like to plant zoysia in a small area where I spend time (or will when sod is there), however, I here mixed reviews of its use in sandy (versus clay and marl) soils.

So that’s it, thoughts?

redbird – posted 08 September 2003 05:38

I don’t know how this sod is performing in your area (check it out) but, have you considered centipede for a low-maintenance, cheap sod?

With a minimal amount of fertilization, a little iron a couple times a growing season, and mowing once a week, this makes a pretty attractive lawn in N. Georgia/S. Florida. The sod is fairly cheap (cheaper than St. augustine, mnuch cheaper than zoysia). It can be grown from seed (or hydro-seeded for best results) – although I am not sure whether you have time this year to seed effectively in your area – it may be getting close, or you may have more time to decide than I imagine – ask locally.

The only negatives that I have seen with centipede are the open growth pattern ( but MUCH denser than bahia), and the fact that it yellows out (iron chlorosis) during the growing season (not straw yellow, but a yellow/green as opposed to a deep green) and requires iron (liquid or pelletized). On the positive side it doesn’t need frequent rtilization like many other lawns, so it all kind of evens out. You’ll be applying iron instead of fertilizer. Some of my neighbors have great looking centipede lawns with minimal work.

Mike

redbird – posted 08 September 2003 05:40

I don’t know how this sod is performing in your area (check it out) but, have you considered centipede for a low-maintenance, cheap sod?

With a minimal amount of fertilization, a little iron a couple times a growing season, and mowing once a week, this makes a pretty attractive lawn in N. Georgia/S. Florida. The sod is fairly cheap (cheaper than St. augustine, mnuch cheaper than zoysia). It can be grown from seed (or hydro-seeded for best results) – although I am not sure whether you have time this year to seed effectively in your area – it may be getting close, or you may have more time to decide than I imagine – ask locally.

The only negatives that I have seen with centipede are the open growth pattern ( but MUCH denser than bahia), and the fact that it yellows out (iron chlorosis) during the growing season (not straw yellow, but a yellow/green as opposed to a deep green) and requires iron (liquid or pelletized). On the positive side it doesn’t need frequent rtilization like many other lawns, so it all kind of evens out. You’ll be applying iron instead of fertilizer. Some of my neighbors have great looking centipede lawns with minimal work.

Mike

redbird – posted 08 September 2003 14:50

PS – you should see a large area/lawn that was sodded with bahia 3 – 5 years ago. The stuff near where I work just looks like sparse weeds. Bahia REALLY thins out over the course of 3 – 5 years. I’m not trying to be an opinionated so-and-so, I am just making a friendly effort to ensure that you know what you are getting into.

Mike

jr – posted 08 September 2003 19:01

one other outstanding quality of bahia is no matter how sharp your blades are, it still tears instead of cuts cleanly and looks white afterward.

cebrowning – posted 08 September 2003 20:41

Hmmm,Although I don’t know anyone who has centipede grass, I will look into it. I do believe it is common in Dade County around UM.

Thanks for the new ideas.