Pasco community chooses bahia grass seeds as a Florida-friendly landscaping alternative

The folks who run the Ballantrae community don't think their residents will mind, especially when they receive their annual fee notices. "For a fourth year in a row, we've not raised our assessments," said Jim Flateau, chairman of the community development district board.  The board, which oversees maintenance of the 969-home neighborhood's common areas, needed to replace some patches of thinning sod along its main thoroughfare. The price: $50,000.  "We choked," Flateau said.

Then he talked with Chris Dewey, the Florida Friendly landscaping program coordinator for Pasco County.  The answer was Argentine bahia, hardy grass that needs little to no irrigation and resists pests. Now the best part: The bahia would cost at least $35,000 less. A two-man crew from Dundee spent the past two days spreading the seed over 2.5 acres. Then using a device that looked like a high-powered water gun, they blasted it with liquid fertilizer mixed with mulch made from old newspapers.

Flateau said it's a no-brainer.
"It's Florida-friendly, water wise, and it's good for the pocketbook."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/pasco-community-chooses-bahia-grass-seeds-as-a-florida-friendly/1180408