How to Plant Coastal Grass in Texas
Coastal grass is a bermudagrass hybrid grown for forage that's drought- and pest-resistant. In fact, coastal bermudagrass deters nematodes, microscopic worms that live in the soil and kill plants. When they try to establish themselves in the grass, they become stuck in the plant’s roots and die without reproducing. Therefore, vegetation planted among coastal bermudagrass is usually protected from nematode injury. In yield tests performed in the Texas counties of Overton, Jackson and Bryan, this grass also produced a consistent crop when compared to other bermudagrass hybrids.
Till the planting site, and mix each acre of soil with 100 lbs. of an 18-46-0 fertilizer. Incorporate the amendment to a depth of 6 inches.
Run a weighted roller over the planting surface to firm the soil, eliminating air pockets and revealing uneven areas. Shuttle topsoil from one section to another to fill any sunken areas, making the bed even.
Buy 5-inch-long fresh sprigs -- the rhizomes of coastal bermudagrass -- as the seeds are sterile. Get 5 bushels per acre for planting in late winter or early spring.
Separate the sprigs in the planting bed by 9 square feet. Bury them vertically 2 inches into the ground. Run the weighted roller over the sprigs to press them firmly into the soil.
Irrigate the soil with 1 inch of water at planting. Maintain the sprigs consistently moist through germination. Water established coastal bermudagrass when its blades wilt. Apply 1 inch of water in one single session.
Take your livestock to graze or cut the coastal grass for hay when your new field is three weeks old.
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Emma Watkins writes on finance, fitness and gardening. Her articles and essays have appeared in "Writer's Digest," "The Writer," "From House to Home," "Big Apple Parent" and other online and print venues. Watkins holds a Master of Arts in psychology.
