Pensacola Bahiagrass is grown and planted on more acres than any of the other varieties of Bahia. It has been established on several million acres of roads, lawns, pasture, forage and conservation lands in the Southern states of USA since it's discovery in 1935 by Ed Finlayson of the Escambia County Extension Service.

Pensacola has long, slim (narrow) leaves with an extensive root system that grows to depths of 7-10 feet. Pensacola also has more cold-tolerance than the other Bahia's, thus it can be grown further north toward and in the transition zone. Top growth is usually killed by "mild frost", but it recovers fast with warm weather. In colder areas the Pensacola variety produces more early and late season forage growth than the other Bahia varieties.

 

Lawn Applications:

New Lawns: Plant 5 to 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.

 

Over seeding an existing lawn: Bare spots can be easily filled in by spreading the area by hand or with a spreader. Remember after spreading the seed to lightly rake in the seed to cover no deeper than 1/4 inch. To properly over seed the entire lawn use 2 to 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. after removing as much unwanted dead or living vegetation.

 

Pasture Applications:

New Pastures: Plant 25 to 100 lbs. per acre. (25 lbs. takes 12 - 24 months to fully sod the pasture.)

 

* The more seed applied to the lawn or pasture on the first planting the faster the lawn or pasture will fully establish a sod or grass base and prevent future over seeding to fill in bare spots.

 

Over seeding an existing pasture: Over seeding rates depend on the amount of established or existing grass in the pasture area. Common applications for over seeding are 25 - 50 lbs. per acre.

 

 

Fertilization Recommendations:
Lawn Fertilization: Apply 5 - 10 lbs. of 16-04-08 slow release fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft. four times a year (late spring, mid summer, late summer, early fall) for the first two years. After a fully established lawn has been accomplished apply 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. two times (mid summer, late summer) a year.

 

Pasture Fertilization: Apply 250 - 350 lbs. of 16-04-08 slow release fertilizer per acre in late spring, mid summer and early fall. Animals that are grazing will damage the Bahiagrass pasture if the pasture is not properly fertilized annually. The grass must be provided with adequate nutrients to compete with the animals.