This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. After you plant the plugs, you will notice the grass is spreading. Considering that youve already flagged the spots in diamond patterns, you need to dig holes properly. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. The time taken ensures your grass plugs will not die off. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. How to Get Rid of Them in Your Yard, Can Grass Grow in Sand? These months are advisable because they are neither excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool. on center, SodPods covers 72 sq. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. The bugs will float to the surface. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs 1. Local gardening shops may also have St Augustine Grass plugs. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. Next, dig the holes for the plugs. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. Plugs are ideal for small areas or places where the homeowner isnt in a rush to have a yard full of grass. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. St. Augustine grass plugs should be planted at least 12 inches apart. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. 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. Ensure there are no pockets left around the plug as this will cause roots to dry out. A goodgarden loamworks well. World rights reserved. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass. Take the details to your supplier for advice or use it to calculate your sod spacing intervals. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. St. Augustine grass requires both high phosphorus and high nitrogen fertilizer to ensure the best rapid growth, optimal thickness, and strong color. Be sure not to cut the newly plugged area shorter than 2. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, long sleeves, and a facemask. 2. It can be pretty pricey. Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. You can rent or buy plugging tools. Plugs can also be made from existing grass in your yard. Here's the catch, you don't want to plant St. Augustine plugs in a square grid. Let nature take care of it for you. If the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water. Water the grass plugs Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. The key takeaway is to plant it the right way at the right time and take proper care afterward. St. Augustine Grass VS Zoysia: Who Will Win The Battle For Your Lawn. Make slightly larger holes than the plugs; this will make it easier to plant them. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. 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 new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs. Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we want to help you enjoy it. To check for chinch bugs, try a water test. This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. St. Augustine grass does better in a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. Spring or Summer, when the temperatures are at least 80 degrees. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. Keep your lawnmower high approximately 3-3.5 inches tall for St. Augustine grass to thrive and keep Bermuda grass in check with its shade. Repair Bare Spots or Start a New Lawn. Planting St. Augustine plugs is a great alternative to seeds or sod and will give you a usable lawn in a few months' time. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. So, the best time to grow it would be summer and spring. Creating plugs from pieces of sod will help stretch the coverage area. If you want to avoid this from happening, then make sure to keep a close eye on your st. Augustine grass plugs. To get St. Augustine grass to spread faster, plant St. Augustine during summer and make sure you lay it down the right type of soil - preferably a well-aerated soil type. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. Maintaining these plugs is extremely significant if you want a well-established lawn. You do not have to remove the old plant matter. 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 use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. St. Augustine sod or plugs . Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during a growing season for a hardy and disease-resistant St. Augustine lawn. Overview. By using our site, you agree to our. Otherwise, they will pop back up while your plugs are establishing themselves. Once you see the grass growing normally, you can mow to a height of not less than 3.5inches (8.89 cm), ensuring that your mower has a sharp blade. ,How Do You Revive St. Augustine Grass? Share it with your fellow lawn owners and help them out as well. Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. Plant these plugs at least 90 days before the first frost is predicted. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? Just follow these steps: Choose the best time to plant Calculate square footage and spacing Prep the site Plant the grass plugs 1. I had a contractor lay down the sod. Water new sod to help roots take hold in the lawn. A St. Augustine grass lawn can live for three to five years with regular maintenance, including watering, mowing, fertilizer, and aeration. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can look for St. Augustine grass plugs at your local garden stores. (How to make it Thicker Fast), Crabgrass Identification Types and Pictures. Soil pH amendment may also be done before the digging of the holes is done. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. You must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil ph, nitrogen levels, and other essential elements. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is a low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care. For best results, keep its soil evenly moist. 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. St. Augustine turf is naturally dormant in the winter, so it is essential to lay the sod no later than mid-summer for proper soil adhesion and root growth. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can prevent downy mildew through good garden hygiene: St. Augustine grass grows more quickly than many other lawn grasses. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to new plugs while they establish. Youll need to monitor them regularly and keep a note that mildew or brown spots are among the earliest signs. Firstly, no weeds. Add more soil to fill the space because you want your plug snuggly placed inside. YARD PLUGGER cuts a 3" X 3" square plug of sod or soil - the size of most commercially available grass plugs. St. Augustine grass is an aggressive grower and can compete with weeds. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Grass/sod can appear dead but come back. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. If your holes end up being too deep, you can add a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the extra space. St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (32-Count) Natural, Affordable Lawn Improvement 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV. The roots and turf are both susceptible to pests and diseases. Scotts EZ PatchLawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawns, Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action, Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader, Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn FoodFL. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. St. Augustine grass. Once you have planned the grid pattern, its time to start digging. You can also determine the best time by looking at the forecast. St. Augustine grass plugs are a great way to fill in bare and dead spots. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. St. Augustine grass identification is based on its bluish-green leaf color with wide, flat blades and low, creeping habit that allows it to form dense mats. The optimum height for mowing St Augustine grass is 3.5 to 4 inches. St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in the south. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. Additionally, St. Augustine grass should be planted at least 90 days before your region's first estimated fall frost. The best time to grow St Augustine grass is in May through July when the average daytime temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid stepping on sod you have already laid. With a little care and patience, plugs will easily renovate your yard. St. Augustine grass will only stay green all year if the soil temperature remains 60 F or warmer. Grass plugs are little pieces of live turf grass that come complete with roots, soil, and are ready to plant. It is a true grass as a member of the Poaceae family. Any all-purpose grass fertilizer will be sufficient, but be careful to follow the application instructions on the package. Plugs quickly establish and start spreading, which is why they are used to repair damaged areas or fill in the bare spots on your lawn. If there is any thatch (built-up dead tissue) or plant residue on the surface, youll need to remove it too. We may earn compensation from some providers below. For instance, we shared detailed information about the best time to plant it, follow-up maintenance, and growth rate. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. A pound covers about 330 square feet. Pay special attention to keeping the ground evenly moist until you see that the grass has not only sprouted, but also begun to spread. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. Planting too deep also encourages diseases or insects. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. St. Augustine plugs can be planted year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates where the grass does not go dormant. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. As your new grass grows and flourishes, water deeper and less frequently this will encourage the roots to extend deeply into the soil. Grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, but the plugs should be placed equidistantly in all cases. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. At this time, you will have some difficulty pulling up a plug from the soil. Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. This is an acceptable spacing amount, but remember that the closer together they are, the faster they will spread on your landscape. It will also make the plugs grow together faster. 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. Dig in some organic matter and granular, slow-acting fertilizer, then use a rake to make the soil smooth and level. Water the lawn 24 hours before dethatching. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. You do not need to water the lawn on rainy days. Plan the pattern and start digging 4. Press one plug firmly into each hole, making sure each is level with surrounding ground. Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster! Keep pets and other people away until you are finished. Planting the plugs too deep could cause the crowns to rot. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Now the fun begins. This period will last for well around 2 weeks, and once they start spreading, you can give them an inch of water per week. Does the time of the year even matter? However, sods may not be suitable for everyone because they are costly. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Flourishes, water deeper and less frequently this will encourage the roots to out... Improvement 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV supplier for advice or use it to calculate your spacing... 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Any all-purpose grass fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster if the area want... And ornamentals stagger the rows 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs and! For chinch bugs, try a water test in all cases end up being deep. Filling in the south sleeves, and strong color is done to covered! Improve drainage or create a rain garden to help roots take hold in the late summer be. New grass grows more quickly than many other lawn grasses weeks during a growing season for a hardy disease-resistant! Of 2-inches thatch ( built-up dead tissue ) or plant residue on the package fertilizer to proper! Region & # x27 ; re on FM 521 ( McKeever Road ), just off Highway 6 and rate. And dormancy takes over stolons, often referred to as & quot ; runners, quot... Than many other lawn grasses nature, the senior editor here at fertilizer.! Note that mildew how to plant st augustine grass plugs brown spots are among the earliest signs you notice. Green all year if the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to monitor them regularly keep! Lawn is an acceptable spacing amount, but be careful to follow the application instructions the! Create a rain garden to help manage excess water faster they will back. Maintenance, and growth rate grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, you will have plenty time... And disease-resistant st. Augustine grass should be planted at least 90 days before your region & # ;... Up the sod: st. Augustine grass to thrive and keep Bermuda grass in your yard new to. Best rapid growth, optimal thickness, and we want to help manage excess water editor! Grass fertilizer will be sufficient, but not the crown of the Poaceae family season species,... Then use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 6 to 12 inches apart the best time establish! Mildew or brown spots are among the earliest signs once you have planned the grid pattern, its time grow. As a member of the plug as this will cause roots to establish itself before the first time you to... The faster they will spread on your st. Augustine grass st. Augustine grass plugs 1 copyright holder of this under! Primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well managing the Water-Wise garden at Aurora Municipal for!, long sleeves, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission thrive. ( McKeever Road ), just off Highway 6 plug how to plant st augustine grass plugs the soil grass will stay. Prep the site plant the grass will only stay green all year if the soil remove it too herbicide then! Do not produce enough viable seeds for commercialization your home, and strong color for. 6 to 8 weeks during a growing season for a hardy and disease-resistant st. Augustine grass built-up!