Bahiagrass Variety: Pensacola

Pensacola Bahiagrass lawn on an old Farm home site.

Used extensively in pastures and road-side grassing throughout the Southeast. Stands colder soil temps, thus can be planted further north in Southern States. Available from both seed and sod sources commercially. But usually planted using seeds. Pensacola Bahia is sold as non-certified seed, thus make sure you buy your seeds from a reputable dealer to receive quality seeds.  Florida grown seed is generally of higher quality than seeds produced in other states.  This is because of lower "objectionable" weeds in Florida grown seeds.   Bahiagrass 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. Bahiagrass.com BUY PENSACOLA BAHIA SEED DIRECT FROM SEEDLAND.com Click above to View Prices

Germination percentage for Pensacola:

How long does it take your seed to germinate?  Normal (average) germination period for Bahia (Pensacola & Tifton 9) is considered to be 28 days.  When dormancy is broken in the seeds they germinate in approximately 28 days....  During hotter summer months such as July / August when rainfall is also plentiful, Pensacola Bahia seed can germinate in as quick as 10-14 days.   Higher soil temps coupled with moist conditions will also cause more of the seed to germinate. 

Nature incorporates a "dormancy" factor in many of the seed, that makes them wait for the ideal conditions to germinate and thrive.  This is part of the species "survival" instincts. When dormancy is broken in those seeds they germinate in approximately 28 days.... Keep in mind when they do germinate, at 30 days --- they are still very "baby" like plants, that have a long way to go to become what you expect in a grass plant.  Most Bahiagrass seeds sold have a total germination of 85-90%.  Of that total, dormant seed may be anywhere from 10% to 50% depending on the specific seed "lot" being tested.

PASTURE USE:  Pensacola Bahia grass was discovered in the coastal Gulf of the Florida panhandle and has since grown into one the major pasture grasses. This grass is a full sun, high heat, drought resistant, easily seeded establisher. It can grow in shadier conditions than most warm season grasses and is grown in conjunction with pine tree farming Pensacola Bahia forms a dense, thick sod that can keep the weeds out and is very disease resistant with the mole cricket and army worms being the only pest problems. The fertility rates for Pensacola are lower than many other forage grasses and it can withstand heavy herd trampling and recover from overgrazing rather quickly.