Is Argentine Bahia grass as attractive as St. Augustine?

jupiter – posted 21 April 2009 13:44

We have St. Augustine in our front yard and is doing fine. We have had to resod twice over 10 years in our backyard because the St. Augustine keeps dying, and we don’t know why. We have pulled out the dead St. Augustine and thought we would try another grass in our backyard. Someone suggested Argentine Bahia because it does well in yards that have full sun all day and our back yard does. It seems sandy there as well. We have never seen Bahia so don’t know what to expect. And, how would we prepare the soil to seed? Do we add manure and mix it into the sandy soil before seeding? Do we add starter fertilizer to the seeds as well? Would appreciate your help! Thanks.

lawn hugger – posted 01 May 2009 08:01

Bahia, can look good if maintained. The main thing is get the soil loose and keep wet for 14-21 days. But if you have ph or pest(fungus-insect) problem the same results may follow. test the soil. put out preventative pest controls to be safe. at least for the first year. ST.AUG. gets fungus and chinch bugs and they can do alot damage quick. watch out for grubs they can do damage if there population is 7-8 per sqft. good luck

lawn hugger – posted 01 May 2009 08:05

sandy soil dries out faster b/c of particle size. to hold mositure manure or just topsoil will do. clay holds moisture as well but can become water logged so i wouldn’t go that route.

Alex_in_FL – posted 10 May 2009 10:54

Bahia is a coarse grass and develops tall seed heads rapidly. You will have to reseed it every year or two – or let the back yard grow high enough for the grass to seed itself.

Bermuda or a seedable zoysia might be an option for you. Bermuda does well in sand.

Before you change to Bahia, I recommend you go and look at some in the field or a neighbor’s yard.