How long for bahia grass seed to sprout

With a finer texture and darker color than Pensacola Bahiagrass, Pennington Argentine Bahiagrass provides an attractive coastal lawn. This sun and drought tolerant grass thrives in lawns that receive eight or more hours of sun. Plant it in the early spring and start to see results within 7 to 21 days. A 3-pound bag covers up to square feet for overseeding an existing lawn and square feet for starting a new lawn from scratch.

While most grass seed companies buy their seed on the open market, we are the only major grass seed company that works directly with a network of dedicated growers. The seed coat has a germination flap through which the seed absorbs moisture for germination. The opening of this germination flap depends on soil temperature, seed production conditions, seed storage conditions, and other factors. In many cases, seed stored for a year have a higher germination percentage than when the seed are first harvested.

Seed scarification improves germination for common bahiagrass, but it is usually not necessary for the other bahiagrass varieties. Seed dormancy is often much lower in some varieties than in others. As a result, seeding rates are higher for some varieties than others see " Seeding Rates " section. Bahiagrass may be planted in several ways. No-till planting methods should be employed if there is a risk of soil erosion e.

Many local conservation districts or similar organizations may have a no-till drill that can be rented or borrowed. No-till establishment methods can result in an acceptable stand of bahiagrass, but often require high seeding rates see " Seeding Rates " section and control of existing vegetation. Sometimes this requires two applications of a non-selective herbicide four to six weeks apart. If the risk of soil erosion is minimal, conventionally-tilled seedbed preparation can be used to establish bahiagrass.

When conventional seedbed preparation and establishment techniques are employed, it is recommended that the "stale-seedbed" method be used. In this method, the first step is to destroy the existing vegetation by spraying with a non-selective herbicide. The land can then be tilled, disced, and packed.

This also allows for any leveling or smoothing of the soil surface that may be necessary. Properly packing and firming of the soil is necessary to prevent the seed from being planted too deeply.

In addition to allowing the soil to become firm, this will allow many of the weeds in the disturbed soil to germinate and emerge. These weeds can then be destroyed using a non-selective herbicide within a few days of planting. Once the seedbed is prepared, seeds may be drilled into the soil or broadcast on top of the soil. Seeding and cultipacking at the same time using a cultipacker-seeder e. Seeds can be more precisely placed into the seedbed when drilled. However, the small seedbox attachment must be used to plant bahiagrass because the seed are too small to be accurately measured in the grain drill seed cups.

Seeding rates vary with variety and planting method. When using Pensacola or a Pensacola-type variety, the seeding rate should be 12 to 15 pounds of seed per acre when the seed are drilled into a prepared seedbed. When broadcasting seed onto a prepared seedbed or using no-till methods, increase the seeding rate of Pensacola-type varieties to 18 to 20 pounds per acre. Tifton-9 and TifQuik have much better seedling vigor than other Pensacola-type varieties and lower seeding rates can be used for these varieties.

As a result, the seeding rate for Tifton-9 and TifQuik is 8 to 10 pounds per acre on prepared seedbeds and 12 to 15 pounds per acre when broadcasting or planting with a no-till drill. Prior to planting, apply any needed lime, P, or K according to soil test recommendations. Avoid applying N before or at planting, as this may increase annual grass emergence before bahiagrass. Apply 35 to 50 pounds of N per acre after the seedlings emerge and start to grow.

With early planting dates, a second application of 50 to 75 pounds of N per acre in early- to mid-summer may be necessary to promote rapid coverage. Good weed control during the establishment phase is essential.

Newly-established bahiagrass may be less competitive with annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. A thick cover of weeds slows stand establishment by shading the emerging bahiagrass seedlings.

Weak stands due to poor seedling establishment can thicken over time. If plants are well distributed over the field, managing the stand to reduce weed competition will increase the opportunity for stand improvement. Once the bahiagrass seedlings reach a height of 8 inches, broadleaf weeds can be controlled with 2,4-D.

Care should be taken when using 2,4-D in new plantings since this herbicide does have some pre-emergence activity on grass seed germination and may adversely affect bahiagrass seeds that have not yet germinated. Currently, there are no herbicides that selectively control annual grasses in newly established bahiagrass. Mowing is the only option when these grasses are a problem in a newly-established field. The mowing height should be adjusted such that little if any of the bahiagrass foliage is cut.

Mowing once a month or more frequently may be necessary, depending on the level of grass competition. Once established, bahiagrass can suppress most weeds and mowing may or may not be necessary.

Carefully managed rotational grazing can accomplish a similar effect, but the animals must be managed to minimize grazing pressure put on the bahiagrass.

Cattle should not be allowed to graze new plantings of bahiagrass in the spring months. Heavy trampling may result in destruction of the young plants.

See the Georgia Pest Management Handbook and check with your county Extension agent for additional information and current recommendations. Though it will persist in low-fertility soils, bahiagrass is responsive to good soil fertility.

When it is used in a livestock operation, a good liming and fertility program is essential to the production of good forage yields and to economic returns.

Bahiagrass is very responsive to N fertility Table 2. After establishment, annual applications of to pounds N per acre should be used for good forage production. For better distribution of forage growth, divide the N into two or more applications during the growing season.

Higher rates of N per acre should only be used in very intensive grazing or hay production systems. As in all good fertility programs, soil testing should be the basis for making amendment decisions.

Apply lime, P, K, or any other needed soil amendments based on soil test recommendations. All of the P can be applied at any time during the year. Apply half of the K in the early spring and the other half in the summer to prevent luxury consumption of this nutrient by the plant.

Bahiagrass is less sensitive to soil pH than many crops. Applying lime to maintain the soil pH at 6. Improvements in nearly all facets of crop production have been reported when row crops are grown after bahiagrass compared to following other row crops Figure 3. This includes the most important factors to producers—yield and crop quality. Yet, there are other proven improvements that result from such rotations. In terms of soil environment, which greatly contributes to the sustainability of agricultural systems, factors such as reduced erosion, build-up of soil organic matter, root growth and depth of penetration by the succeeding crop, water infiltration, earthworm population, and soil tilth all change for the better.

From a row crop standpoint, the most important benefit is usually from reduced incidence of numerous pests. In addition, it is reported that peanut and soybean root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. Collectively, these factors can result in savings from reduced inputs such as a less frequent need for irrigation, elimination of one or more fungicide spray events, and potentially reduced applications of expensive specialty herbicides due to bahiagrass outcompeting weeds.

In addition to the potential for improved yields and reduced inputs for the row crop enterprise, the inclusion of livestock can be a very successful capital venture that diversifies the farm operation and may serve as a profit center. This can buffer and insulate the farm operation from market fluctuations and, perhaps, catastrophic weather events. Even operations that do not wish to incorporate ownership of livestock could still benefit from similar systems e.

Though an economic analysis should be conducted to determine if a sod-based rotation using bahiagrass is economically feasible in a specific scenario, this may be a profitable rotation system for some farms in the Southeast. If bahiagrass is to be used in the rotation, it is recommended that it stay in stand for two years, followed immediately by peanuts or soybeans, then by a subsequent cotton crop Do not plant cotton immediately after bahiagrass, since there are reports of excessive and rank vegetative growth in cotton that followed bahiagrass.

Bahiagrass has many uses, but it is most commonly used as a pasture species or as a hay crop. Bahiagrass is also an excellent grass species for erosion control and wildlife habitat. Bahiagrass also been increasingly used in "sod-based rotation" sequences see inset, " Using Bahiagrass in Sod-based Rotations with Agronomic Crops ".

Well-managed pastures can carry about one animal unit e. The quality of grazing is highest during the early spring and begins to decline during mid-summer. Improved varieties such as Tifton-9, TifQuik, and UF-Riata produce 10 to 15 percent more total forage and provide a slightly higher carrying capacity than Pensacola. However, bahiagrass varieties do not differ substantially in forage quality Muchovej and Mullahey, All bahiagrass varieties produce most of their forage close to the soil surface, regardless of fertilization Table 3.

In fact, approximately 60 percent of the total forage produced is within 2 inches of the soil surface. Thus, bahiagrass pastures should be grazed close for best forage production and animal performance. Though overgrazing is undesirable, most bahiagrass varieties can withstand intense, close grazing pressure. Bahiagrass generally grows more prostrate under close grazing and becomes even more compact.

Under extremely high grazing pressure, bahiagrass will produce almost all of its leaf area so close to the soil surface that the animals cannot defoliate it i. As a result, bahiagrass is the most grazing-tolerant species used for forage production in Georgia.

By overseeding winter annual grasses and legumes into bahiagrass, the grazing season can be extended and the quality of the forage can be increased. Unfortunately, the compact and dense nature of bahiagrass sods is generally not as good for overseeding as bermudagrass sods. Overseeding with winter annuals such as rye, oats, annual ryegrass, crimson, and arrowleaf clovers can be successful if the soil fertility and weather provide a favorable environment for winter annual growth.

However, it is necessary for the bahiagrass sod to be mowed or grazed as short as possible in early October and lightly disked prior to establishment. Winter annuals should not be overseeded until late fall, just prior to the first frost. During the spring transition, when bahiagrass begins to regrow, winter forages should be removed either by grazing, haying, or mowing.

This reduces the competition from winter forages for light, moisture, and soil nutrients when bahiagrass begins its spring growth. Bahiagrass can make moderate quality hay 50 to 56 percent TDN and 9 to 11 percent CP if it is cut before it becomes overly mature cut on less than five-week intervals.

Since the majority of bahiagrass forage is located below the typical 1. If hay is a goal, the newer or improved varieties will provide higher hay yields han Pensacola since they grow more upright and more of the available forage can be harvested.

Still, bahiagrass may not be able to produce the high yields that improved bermudagrass varieties are capable of producing, even if it is well fertilized Figure 4. Multiple, short 5—10 minutes irrigations throughout the course of the day for 7—10 days following planting helps the grass establish without drying out. It grows by thick stolons, or root-like stems. If you are struggling with sandy, poor, acidic soil and are unsure where to turn for a luscious lawn, look no further than bahia grass.

Also referred to as bahiagrass, this hardy, easy-to-care -for variety actually thrives in sandy, poor soil conditions. The best time to sow bahia grass seed is in the spring and early summer. You can also sow in the fall, but the seed will not germinate until the spring, and growth will be reduced. The most important factor is that the soil be warm; bahia grass will not germinate in cold soil.

Argentine Bahia grass has dense, deep green blades, wider than Pensacola Bahia grass, with a few seed heads. Pensacola has narrow leaves that are slightly longer than Argentine Bahia grass, with many seed heads. It has an extensive root system that grows from 7 to 10 feet deep.

Bahiagrass will thin out over time, so the best way to maintain a thick Bahiagrass lawn is to overseed it to thicken the turf.