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You should put pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer on your lawn in the spring. Pre-emergent herbicide keeps weeds from taking root. Fertilizer helps your grass to grow lush and dense and blocks future weeds from growing. You can also add amendments, such as sulfur and lime, to enhance your soil quality. 

Aerating a newly sodded lawn is generally not recommended immediately after installation. It's crucial to allow the sod to establish itself first, typically over the first growing season. Aerating too soon can disrupt the fragile root systems of the newly laid sod and potentially damage the turf. It's best to aerate prior to laying new sod or wait until the sod has fully rooted and the lawn is stable before considering aeration, usually after the first year.

When you don’t aerate your lawn, the soil will become more compact over time. This limits how much water can soak in to reach the roots of your grass, and it keeps oxygen and carbon dioxide from the plant roots. This can limit grass growth, which may sound great for limiting mowing, but it also leads to a lawn full of grass that looks dull and sparse. Eventually, compacted soil can weaken grass, while also making it more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and erosion and even causing it to die off.

Bahia grass is not difficult to grow, but you might need patience for this slow-growing grass. Whereas some grass species, like Bermuda grass, can take 1 to 2 weeks to germinate, Bahia grass can take two or three times as long, making it seem like it won’t grow. But again, once your Bahia grass is established, it requires little maintenance. Its deep root system makes it a very durable grass that can bounce back after freezes and droughts.