how to plant st augustine grass plugshow to plant st augustine grass plugs

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If youre replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and vegetation. Planting the plugs incorrectly can lead to a loss of resources. Let it root in for at least 3 weeks. Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we want to help you enjoy it. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Safely place the plugs in the holes one after the other as you securely tap the soil around them to ensure proper soil-plug contact. Its blue-green blades form a dense turf that establishes quickly and easily, and can tolerate salt, making it an excellent choice for coastal yards. Planting the plugs isnt the end of the process. At this mowing height, you'll be able to give the dethatching tool enough access without cutting off too much of the stolons, thus, preventing excessive damage to your lawn. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Many home improvement stores have models available you can take home for a day. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. How to Get Rid of Them in Your Yard, Can Grass Grow in Sand? St. Augustine responds well to potassium fertilizers, especially in late summer and early Fall, but phosphorus should only be applied if there is a deficiency. Apply phosphorus fertilizer and keep a good watering schedule to help with quicker root and foliage development. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. If it is dead, this might be due to bugs. This will be the ideal time to mow your actively growing grass. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. Rake all the debris from the area and rototill the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Therefore, plugs, sod, and the seed should be planted in late spring or early summer. Please call us at 281-431-7441 or use our contact form for more information or a quote for your project. To reduce noticeable lawn damage, increase the space between harvested plugs. Planting St. Augustine Grass Using PlugsAn easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. While I no longer live on a farm today, I still enjoy spending time on my garden and sharing my knowledge with friends and fellow garden enthusiasts. You have to put them together. Established roots mean less water and maximum success. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. Overview. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in the south. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. What makes these pests so deadly is that they do not merelyeatyour grass: They also inject a toxin into it. If you are replacing a pre-existing lawn, then youll need to cut off the sod and clean out the old plantation properly. Six to 8 weeks after planting, feed withScotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food. The grass needs soil to establish its roots. It will make ideal-sized holes for the plugs. This part is crucial because when plugs are planted too deep in the soil, they become vulnerable to fungi and insects. Yard Butler Sod Plugger turf cutter and grass plug tool for zoysia, St. Augustine, fescue, or centipede grass transplanting & repair - ISP-33 1,515 $4999 FREE delivery Feb 8 - 10 Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs - 2 Trays 1 $4095 $27.77 delivery Feb 9 - 13 Plugs are small, like 2 to 3 inches in general. In the fourth week, water 1-2 times every other day. Results may vary. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Ensure there are no pockets left around the plug as this will cause roots to dry out. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. Whether starting a new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for both. When should I plant St Augustine grass? Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. You can grow St. Augustine grass during the summer and make sure you lay the plugs on well-aerated soil, then apply phosphorous fertilizer and come up with a good watering schedule that will encourage quicker root and foliage development. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Another important thing you must remember while digging holes is that it should have the same depth as your st. Augustine grasss root ball. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. Grass plugs come in trays. Here grows the plant Assidos, which, when worn by any one, protects him from the evil spirit, forcing it to state its business and name; consequently the foul spirits keep out of the way there. If you only have a few weeds here and there, you can hand-pull them, but be sure to get the entire root system. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. If you are asking how many days it will take to fill the bare spots in your garden, well, it will depend much on the distance of the plugs. For the best results, apply 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (this should be spread over several applications). Simply water the plugs sufficiently but not so much that it pools on the surface. Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. And if you were to ask for the best time for growing St. Augustine grass in the U.S., I would say: you can grow your grass from May all the way to July. Plan the pattern and start digging 4. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Generally speaking, you will need to wait roughly 7 to 14 days to observe the grass plugs spreading. To ensure strong growth and deep roots, apply one-half pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually during the growing season (spring through fall). The heat will evaporate most of the water and leave little behind for the grass. Any all-purpose grass fertilizer will be sufficient, but be careful to follow the application instructions on the package. It is important to continue to water the newly planted St. Augustine plugs for the next two weeks. Because in these seasons, the average temperature remains 80 to 100 Fahrenheit which is ideal for growing St. Augustine grass. After considering all these requirements, it is safe to say that the best time to plant st. augustine grass plugs will be spring (late spring, to be particular) and summer (early summer). St. Augustine grass plugs grow quite fast. For an extra boost, add 1 teaspoon of organic fertilizer before planting. In that period, the daytime temperature remains 80 Fahrenheit on average. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. It's best if you put St. Augustine grass directly on the soil. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The first step to making St. Augustine grass grow thicker and fuller is installing the plugs/sod on well-draining soil with a pH range between 5.0 and 8.5. Once the plugs have begun to spread, the area can be mowed as needed. Written by southernmedia February 5, 2021 After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. Does the time of the year even matter? Enjoy! Aerate and dethatch your lawn as needed to foster better air circulation. Though sod is the most perfect option for establishing a new lawn from scratch, its very costly as well. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. Then reduce watering to once a day. If you dont want to spend some pretty penny on the grass and you are not in a hurry to have a green backyard, grass plugs are the best option for you. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This warm-season grass goes dormant in winter. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. Additional Care Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. This grass can tolerate humidity, heat, and even salt, which makes it not only suitable for warm states but subtropical and coastal areas. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. Did you find this article helpful? Gray leaf spot is another fungal disease causing gray lesions on the grass blades. Proper watering will encourage the plugs to form a deeper root system and grow up more established. There are a few green twigs coming back to life but I think it's dead. Fill in the holes with compost or a compost/soil mix. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. Dig holes in a diagonal planting pattern, so each group of four holes forms a diamond. Water the soil until it is saturated. Last Updated: February 13, 2023 Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. Next, dig the holes for the plugs. World rights reserved. Plan the desired pattern to plant the grass plugs. 3 steps to success: Prep, Apply, Water. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to new plugs while they establish. apart in a prepared lawn. The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. After you have measured the area that you want to be covered by st. Augustine grass, the next step would be to prepare it and ensure its ready for the plugs.