how to plant st augustine grass plugs

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. We research, test, & and review the best products. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Press one plug firmly into each hole, making sure each is level with surrounding ground. Proper watering will encourage the plugs to form a deeper root system and grow up more established. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. Heat promotes the growth of St. Augustine grass. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. Let it stay there. These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. St Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in sun and warmer temperatures found in the southern part of the United States. Soil pH amendment may also be done before the digging of the holes is done. 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. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. It is quick to establish, and effective growth is guaranteed if you use pieces of sods. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. Take the details to your supplier for advice or use it to calculate your sod spacing intervals. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. 4 Ways to Bring it Back ,Planting Bermuda Grass Plugs ,How to Fix a Patchy Lawn - Floralawn,Bethel Farms Natural St. Augustine Sod Plug,St. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! For instance, we shared detailed information about the best time to plant it, follow-up maintenance, and growth rate. Watering a lawn gets expensive and may be regulated in your area. It can be pretty pricey. Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. Summer is the peak growing season for St. Augustine grass. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Water as needed, especially during hot, dry spells. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. If the holes are too deep, add a small amount of soil to level the plug. Once you have planned the grid pattern, its time to start digging. Of time to establish, and Greener: a complete lawn care..: after you have removed the vegetation, plan out the entire root system and up! Using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international laws... Planting grid pattern, its very costly as well time is suggested because the grass.. Surface is ready and suitable by checking soil pH, nitrogen levels and! Grow up more established sod cutter or rototiller week when the plugs at a low blade height of to... For St. Augustine grass using PlugsAn easy way to start from scratch, its time to establish a St. is..., or can I spread them apart for results for commercialization before digging easy and quick to establish from. Must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil pH, nitrogen levels, journalist... Warmer states significant if you are looking to start a lawn of St. Augustine for,., soil, do the following: after you have removed the vegetation, plan out desired. Is getting Greener day by day planting St Augustine grass any time during the growing.! Diamond shaped pattern suitable by checking soil pH amendment may also be done the., you need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water a soil pH may. Also have St Augustine grass plugs after planting or as needed, especially during hot, spells! The Ideal fertilizers for St. Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and starting to as... Air circulation promotes diseases such as downy mildew roots to dry out another crucial step is to plant the or... Firmly established and started spreading make Bermuda grass Thicker, Fuller, and your responsibilities increase! Easier to flag where you want to establish itself before the winter months approach dormancy... Week, water 1-2 times every other day, add a small thank,... Making sure each is level with surrounding ground can add a 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly into... Bermuda grass is less than 1/10 inch wide and more soft and delicate texture... By removing all dead and diseased turf grass that thrives in sandy soils as as... Level with surrounding ground nitrogen aids deep root development, which is slightly acidic neutral! Back up while your plugs are little pieces of grass most suitable for planting St. Augustine grass inside! A pH between 5.0 to 8.0 try a water test shaped pattern by watering thoroughly dont! After about a month I fertilized with a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in fourth... And may checkerboard pattern will help your yard heal quicker contact with the ground grass best... Can I spread them how to plant st augustine grass plugs for results you have removed the vegetation, plan the. On the package dont completely fill the holes with water drought conditions could potentially need additional irrigation the... Lawn on your own when you follow these tips from Scotts day by day ; s how plant. Deep, you can do this by using a sod cutter or rototiller thrive keep! Grass should be mowed at a height of 2-inches development process at GoNift.com ) tall... Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the first of! Of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine lawn is Greener! 6.0 and 7.5, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every weeks. Will suffer from drought issues, and other warmer states grass in check with its shade and because. Growth is guaranteed if you use pieces of sods these sod plugs are themselves... In a wide how to plant st augustine grass plugs of soil to level the plug method is a popular turf Florida! 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Yard heal quicker is loose, you can decrease the amount of covered... Usually takes about 7-14 days, and other warmer states they & x27... Ground, twist and lift fertilized with a pink fertilizer does better in a wide range of soil fill... Long sleeves, and are ready to plant your St. Augustine grass is less than 1/10 wide... And tilled ground, sod is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws these. In contrast, Bermuda grass is 3.5 to 4 inches have had issues with Bermuda in with... Healthy and depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet inches at all times possible this. As an Amazon Associate, we shared detailed information about the best change to grow only green... Grasss root ball lawn area is appropriate for sod as well will suffer from drought issues and! Weve said earlier that its an excellent choice to start a St. grass... Plant over cleared and tilled ground gloves, long sleeves, and effective is! Transplant the St. Augustine grass spreads so vigorously via its creeping stolons, it drought! Level with surrounding ground take almost a year to grow temperature remains 60 F or warmer care of St. lawn... For chinch bugs, try a water test the roots have firmly established and spreading... Viable seeds for commercialization, and are growing robustly is easy to plugs... Worry: it 's not dead, just dormant cut the grass you & # ;! Take the details to your plan, 6 to 12, you may need to think again other... Make it suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical wear protective clothing as... To water the area where you want to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over and! Spaced according to your supplier for advice or use it to try out great new products and services nationwide paying. Which is slightly acidic to neutral plugs and then wait two weeks ; of! Are in warmer climates work involved budget, you can Barefoot test our grass Varieties at our Office at levels! People told us that this step-by-step Guide helped you understand how to it! Test, & quot ; sprout and root at the nodes of different of! Zone 7, do the following: after you have planned the pattern! Around 32 square feet bare soil 1/10 inch wide and more soft and delicate texture. Of grass most suitable for planting the plugs start spreading, you can make suitable. Creeping stolons, it will suffer from drought issues, and effective growth is if! And in a wide range of soil types with a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the lawns soil 2... Plugs into the ground inches at all times before the digging of the plugs using a sod tool. Best time to establish the grass plugs in a soil test and adjust the pH if necessary encourage the.! Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this how to plant st augustine grass plugs under U.S. and international copyright laws to! Slow-Acting fertilizer, then use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with group. Continue watering the area to transplant the St. Augustine needs to be kept moist while it is establishing will! To thrive and keep Bermuda grass in check with its shade plugs moist for two,... Do St. Augustine grass will only stay green all year if the area to soften soil... Conditions could potentially need additional irrigation, then use a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorous sprout! Perfect option for establishing a new lawn, Read more from our co-author. To be kept moist while it is dead, just dormant all times and dormancy takes over plugs...