You have just purchased Paspalum grass seeds, the preferred choice for lawns resistant to Caribbean sun, coastal saline soils, and moderate traffic areas. Our seeds come hulled and coated, which significantly improves germination compared to natural seeds. In this guide, we explain how to prepare the soil, sow, and achieve a uniform lawn.
Product Specifications
Paspalum vaginatum is a warm-season grass native to tropical coastal areas, known for its tolerance to salinity, extreme heat, and poor soils. Our seed is hulled and coated with a natural nutrient and fungicide that dramatically improves germination percentage. The 22.7 kg (50 lb) bag covers approximately 700-1000 m² at a professional rate.
| Specification | 22.7 kg Bag |
|---|---|
| SKU | 768953 |
| Species | Paspalum vaginatum |
| Treatment | Hulled, coated |
| Bag | 22.7 kg (50 lb) |
| Coverage | 700-1000 m² |
| Application | Coastal, saline, sports turf |
Step-by-step planting guide
Successful planting begins three weeks beforehand with soil preparation. Skipping preliminary steps leads to irregular germination and patchy lawns that take years to fill in.
Prepare the soil
Remove existing vegetation, debris, and stones. Till the first 15-20 cm (6-8 in) with a rototiller or subsoiler. Level with a garden rake until the surface is smooth. In compacted or clayey soils, incorporate a coconut fiber substrate to improve drainage and aeration. Water 24-48 hours before sowing.
Calculate the dosage
The seeding rate for coated Paspalum is 25-35 g/m² (5-7 oz per 100 sq ft). Use 25 g/m² under optimal conditions (well-prepared soil, abundant irrigation) and 35 g/m² under more demanding conditions (poor substrate, limited irrigation). Weigh the bag before starting and prepare by zones according to the area to be sown.
Sow uniformly
Use a manual rotary spreader for areas larger than 200 m²; sow by hand with cross-dispersion for smaller areas. Cross-sowing technique: divide the total dose into two halves and sow the first in one direction, the second in a perpendicular direction. This compensates for distribution irregularities.
Cover lightly and compact
Lightly rake the seeds to cover them with 3-5 mm (0.1-0.2 in) of soil. Do not bury them deeper: the deeper they are, the less they germinate. Then pass a light roller (or gently step on it) to settle the contact between seed and soil. Contact is what triggers germination.
Water and maintain constant moisture
Water gently with a diffuser (not a strong jet that washes away seeds) immediately after sowing. During the first 2-3 weeks, keep the soil permanently moist: water 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes each time. Germination of coated Paspalum begins in 7-14 days. Thereafter, progressively space out irrigations.
Paspalum is the species of choice for Dominican coastal areas with saline soil or irrigation with groundwater of certain salinity. It tolerates up to 35,000 ppm salinity without dying, where other grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia) suffer. If your project is near the sea or the irrigation water is somewhat brackish, Paspalum is the right answer and other species will cause problems in a few months.
Do not sow deeper than 5 mm (0.2 in). This is the mistake that ruins most germinations. Coated seeds are small and need filtered light to germinate; buried at 1-2 cm, they get trapped and do not emerge. It is better to rake very lightly and accept that some seeds remain on the surface (low loss) than to bury everything and lose germination massively.
Paspalum or Bermuda for your project?
If you are unsure whether your project needs Paspalum (coast, salinity, full sun) or Bermuda (inland, finer, sports), ask the virtual assistant. It will guide you based on location, soil type, and the final use of the lawn.
Complementary Products
Successful Paspalum planting relies on these products during preparation and the first few months of establishment:
Coconut fiber substrate improves soil structure before sowing: aeration, water retention, and organic matter that roots can utilize. Coconut biomat is the ideal cover for sloped embankments: it keeps seeds in place and retains moisture until roots anchor the soil. Bermuda grass seeds are the alternative for non-coastal areas: compare them if your project is away from the sea or does not have salinity problems.
Maintenance and Care
Paspalum grass requires specific maintenance to remain dense and healthy:
- Seed storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark place until sowing. The ideal temperature is between 10-20 °C. Once the bag is opened, use within a few months.
- First mowing: When the grass reaches 6-8 cm (2.5-3 in), cut to 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) with a sharp mower. The first mowing should always be high to avoid stressing the seedlings.
- Adult watering: Once established (3-4 months), Paspalum tolerates drought periods of up to 2 weeks well. Water 2-3 times a week with deep irrigation instead of several superficial waterings.
- Fertilization: Apply NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season (warm months from May to October). Reduce by half in colder months.
- Annual aeration: Once a year (at the beginning of the warm season), aerate with a core aerator to decompact the soil and allow water and nutrients to penetrate deeply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal sowing season?
In the Dominican climate, the best time is from March to early June (before the intense rainy season) and September-October (after the peak of rainfall). Optimal soil temperature: 22-30 °C. Sowing in mid-summer (July-August) requires intensive irrigation; in cool winter (December-January) germination is slow.
Why is it coated and not natural seed?
The coating is a layer of clay or porous material that envelops each seed with a nutrient mixture, a fungicide, and sometimes a colorant for better visibility. The advantages: more weight (better distribution when sowing and wind resistance), higher initial germination, protection against soil pathogens. Coated seed germinates around 80-90% vs 60-70% for natural seed under the same conditions.
What do I do if germination is irregular?
If after 14 days there are areas with good germination and bare patches, identify the cause: lack of irrigation in the bare patches (very likely), excessive burial (scratch and check depth), compacted soil (local rototiller and reseed). Reseed the bare patches with a 50% increased dose and protect with a biodegradable blanket or straw until the new germination fills in the lawn.