How to Care for Bahia Sod

Bahia grass is a tropical perennial grass that spreads quickly via creeping stolons and rhizomes. Bahia grass is an excellent turf grass for lawns in warm climates such as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Sod is the fastest way to establish a new bahia grass lawn. Since sod can represent a substantial financial expenditure, proper after-care is essential to protect your investment.

Garden hose or sprinkler system
Lawn mower
16-4-8 fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Provide thrice daily irrigation for your bahia sod for the first seven to 10 days after planting. Water for at least 10 minutes each time to ensure that the sod has the moisture it needs to develop a strong, extensive root system.
- 2
  Reduce the watering frequency to just once per day when the sod is well-rooted. Start checking the sod's root development 10 days after planting. Pull gently on a piece of sod located on the perimeter of your lawn; if you are unable to lift it, you may reduce your irrigation frequency. Continue to give at least a 3/4-inch watering each time you irrigate.
- 3
  Mow bahia sod only after you have observed new top growth; avoid removing more than 1/3 of the blade each time you mow to prevent damage to the sod's stolons and rhizomes. Note that bahia sod performs best when kept at a height of 2 to 3 inches.
- 4
  Wait at least four weeks before fertilizing your bahia sod for the first time. Apply an application of a granular 16-4-8 fertilizer as soon as you can, ideally at the beginning of October. Apply a second fertilizer application in mid-November, or six weeks after the first application.

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