\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It was fine and then turned to a straw-like color over the winter. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We hope that this step-by-step guide helped you understand how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Dig in some organic matter and granular, slow-acting fertilizer, then use a rake to make the soil smooth and level. Once the plugs have begun to spread, the area can be mowed as needed. We deliver grass sod all over the Houston area or you can pick up your fresh sod at our office. Let nature take care of it for you. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. They are mostly used in gulf states and Florida lawns, st. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a grass species famous for its tolerance to heat and humidity. Remember that using plugs as a method to grow st. Augustine grass is only a viable option when sod isnt a practical choice or when small areas need to be covered. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. Since St. Augustine grass spreads so vigorously via its creeping stolons, it is easy to establish it from sod. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. (You can also purchase St. Augustine sod, but it can be expensive.) If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. Afterward, water weekly unless your lawn is receiving generous rainfall. How to Plant Grass Plugs Materials: Soil Analysis Kit Measuring Tape Sod Cutter, Rototiller or Glyphosate Auger Bit and Drill New Lawn Starter Box Step 1: Test Your Soil If you're planning to plant grass plugs throughout your entire lawn, the first step we recommend is testing the soil. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. Once you have taken the measurements per square foot, go to your nearest gardening store and buy the plug trays. Then, sprigs are either scattered on the surface and topped with soil or compost, or else pressed into the soil with a machine known as a fairway planter. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! Your email address will not be published. Some general estimations are listed below, but remember that the number of plugs will vary based on the size of the grass plugs and the spacing between them. If there is any thatch (built-up dead tissue) or plant residue on the surface, youll need to remove it too. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is a low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care. Be mindful of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine. The quicker the grass spread, the closer you will be to a thick, lush lawn. We deliver the best quality grass in Houston, and we do it at a competitive price too. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. St. Augustinegrass does require water to stay green during periods of drought, however it doesn't need more water than other grass species to remain green. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Dig holes in a diagonal planting pattern, so each group of four holes forms a diamond. It killed the sod; now I have dead brown grass. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. This will help you plan how many holes you 'll need to dig and decide whether you 'll need more grass plugs. Water early in the day so that the grass blades have time to dry before nightfall. Meet Mattias Jonsson, the head of content at RainSaucers. Make sure that the crown of the plug isnt covered in soil. apart in a prepared lawn. It will become green again when warm weather returns. How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker, Fuller, and Greener: A Complete Lawn Care Guide. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. St. Augustine grasses do not produce enough viable seeds for commercialization. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. St. Augustine grass is a spreading, warm-season grass for lawns, especially in warm climates. St. Augustine grass blades are coarser and broader, about 1/3 of an inch in width. This makes plugs a great choice for thin or bare spots in your lawn. Plan the desired pattern to plant the grass plugs. You Can Barefoot Test Our Grass Varieties at Our Office. Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. You can rent or buy plugging tools. Do you live in a warm state with extreme heat no grass will tolerate? 2. Therefore, plugs, sod, and the seed should be planted in late spring or early summer. Each diamond will be 12 inches apart, and the ones in the middle will be 15 feet apart. If you only have a few weeds here and there, you can hand-pull them, but be sure to get the entire root system. This product is sold in four 8-count packs. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. You can buy 1 pound of buffalo grass seed for about $50. Afterward, water freely every day until the roots have firmly established and started spreading. http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/st-augustine-general-notes/, http://www.star-telegram.com/living/home-garden/neil-sperry/article155731284.html, http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/st-augustine-planting-sod/, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/how-to-lay-sod, http://publications.tamu.edu/TURF_LANDSCAPE/PUB_turf_Maintaining%20St.%20Augustine%20Grass%20Lawns.pdf, https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/publications/staug.html. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. Mow and Mulch for Optimal Growth Plant St. Augustine grass plugs or sod in full sun, at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost, to give the grass plenty of time to establish. Additional Care Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. 1. But the depth will be the same as the root ball of the plugs. Next, dig the holes for the plugs. Add more soil to fill the space because you want your plug snuggly placed inside. RainSaucers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, 2023 RainSaucers - Bringing Rain to Your Garden, What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants, How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Summary, How Long to Water Overseeded Lawn? To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. If you want to plant St. Augustine grass using plugs, the best time to do so is in the late spring or summer. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. If the soil is hard, break it down using a tiller. Additionally, you can put starter fertilizer on the holes so that the St. Augustine grass plugs get essential nutrients as soon as they get firm on the ground. This grass can tolerate humidity, heat, and even salt, which makes it not only suitable for warm states but subtropical and coastal areas. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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