Argentine and Pensacola are two types of Bahia grass commonly used within the southern portion of the United States. Bahia grass is a low maintenance, warm climate, high sun exposure tolerant grass that is ideal for cattle pastures, residential lawns, and along highway roadsides. Bahia grass is easily established from seed in a variety of soil types, and requires only a mild amount of maintenance including watering, mowing, and fertilizing.

 

Appearance

Argentine and Pensacola Bahia grass both produce long blades with a lush, hearty appearance. Argentine Bahia grass grows wide blades with a dark green color, while Pensacola Bahia grass grows very thin blades with a light green color.

 

Starting

Argentine and Pensacola Bahia grass both start easily by planting seeds. Once established both types of grass become low maintenance requiring only watering, mowing, and mild fertilizing. Both types of grass establish quickly, and thrive when planted in types of soil that are dry, non-fertile, and even clay. Argentine Bahia grass may be harder to establish from seed than Pensacola Bahia grass, whenever planted in poor soil conditions and during periods of cold weather. Argentine Bahia grass does not produce a significant number of dormant seeds that will wait until soil and weather conditions are ideal to begin growth. To help Argentine Bahia grass develop into established sustained grass remove all weeds and plant seeds after all dangers of possible frost are over. Provide plenty of water and guarantee new weed growth does not compete with new grass growth by removing weeds every time they appear.

 

Grows

Argentine and Pensacola Bahia grass grows in every portion of the southern United States from California to Florida, and are able to survive long periods of drought and excessive rainfall. Argentine Bahia grass grows better in extremely wet conditions so it is the more popular grass choice in coastal areas. Pensacola Bahia grass better in colder weather climates so it is the more popular grass choice further north, such as South Carolina and the northern portion of Georgia.

 

Conditions

The ideal growth conditions for Argentine and Pensacola Bahia grass include flat, level land consisting of soil that has a low fertility level, and in areas that receive full sun, with a high humidity percentage. Argentine Bahia grass grows best in areas that are constantly wet, while Pensacola Bahia grass grows best in dry soil conditions.   

 

Advantages

A significant advantage when growing the right type of Bahia grass in the ideal conditions, the result will be a tremendous amount of high quality grass. Other advantages associated with both Argentine and Pensacola Bahia grass is that they both provide a lush green looking ground cover, and grow long deep roots and a dense base that prevents weed growth. Both types of Bahia grass are more disease resistant than other types of grass, are extremely durable, and are able to withstand grazing and human traffic. 

 

Dangers

Neither Argentine nor Pensacola Bahia grass thrive in constantly shady areas. In cold weather, the blades and strands of Argentine Bahia grass die and will not grow back until the weather becomes warm, while only the top layer of Pensacola Bahia grass dies, but it is quick to recover.  

Copyright © 2016 John Mallozzi