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Yes, Bahia grass spreads on its own thanks to its short stolon system. However, it might not seem like your Bahia grass spreads well due to its slow growth. Bahia grass takes around 3 to 4 weeks to germinate and an additional two weeks to grow thicker. 

During this time, fast-growing, competitive weeds may pop up, so weed your lawn to give your Bahia grass a chance to grow. This grass can take up to two years to become established. Once established, Bahia grass typically does well in suitable climates.

If you use a starter fertilizer designed for this purpose, you can overseed and fertilize at the same time. If you opt to use a fertilizer for established grass or one with a weed control component, it's best to wait at least four to eight weeks after seed application to allow the new grass to take hold and establish itself. 

Yes, you can put topsoil over sand to encourage grass growth. The topsoil will help to improve water retention and promote grass roots’ development, making it a recommended step of the seeding process. Adding a layer of topsoil will provide additional nutrients to the sandy soil, helping the grass grow and remain healthy through many seasons.

Soaking grass seeds in water before seeding is called pre-germinating. It’s not necessary but can be very helpful in some cases. Some grasses like are very slow to germinate, and basic seeding on the ground is unlikely to be effective—that’s especially true of cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, rye grasses, and Bermuda grass. Soaking these seeds in a bag or bin of water for one to four days beforehand can give the grass the start it needs to survive.