\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Laying sod is a breeze, and the result is an instant lawn, so you will pay the most for that option. You have to put them together. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. Use a garden trowell to dig holes. So, unless you live in the subtropical regions of Florida and California, St. Augustine grass will turn brown in winter. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. Weed resistance: Sodded St. Augustine instantly chokes out any weeds. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? Does the time of the year even matter? Planting the plugs incorrectly can lead to a loss of resources. But the depth will be the same as the root ball of the plugs. St. Augustine grass requires warm weather to grow. Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. References. SodPods can also be used as a cost-effective way to plant a beautiful new lawn. St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular lawn grasses in Florida and the Gulf states, thanks to its tolerance of heat and humidity. 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. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. If the holes are too deep, add a small amount of soil to level the plug. Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass plugs the right way with our expert techniques. Now the fun begins. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. Fertilizer Pick All Rights Reserved 2023 | Owned and operated by Scalebloom, Pick the Ideal Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass, The Best Lawn Fertilizer for Summer (Reviews for 2023), 6 Best Fertilizers for Bermuda Grass in 2023 for Thick Grass, 8 Best Fungicide for St Augustine Grass Reviews in 2023. This warm-season grass goes dormant in winter. Preparing the area also includes spreading the fertilizer and watering it properly. St. Augustine will take root and spread faster in the right soil conditions. I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and have grown fruits, vegetables, and trees since childhood. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. I had a contractor lay down the sod. How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker, Fuller, and Greener: A Complete Lawn Care Guide. 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. It is important to continue to water the newly planted St. Augustine plugs for the next two weeks. Stolons facilitate faster lawn coverage once the plugs are in place. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Meet Mattias Jonsson, the head of content at RainSaucers. You surely cant just leave your grass to fend for itself. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. It will make ideal-sized holes for the plugs. If a disease is identified, you can apply St. Augustine Grass fungicide. St. Augustine is a broad bladed, medium green colored grass; St. Augustine Floratam is heat tolerant and has a great tolerance for humidity; Minimum 4-hour-6-hours of sunlight per day for best results; Established roots mean less water and maximum success; Affordable - each 8-pack covers 18 sq. Maintaining Your New St. Augustine Grass LawnOnce your new St. Augustine grass lawn starts to fill in and the grass blades reach a mowable height, cut the grass with the mower set to one of the highest settings (3-4 inches). It's best to plant it during warm weather. You can find St. Augustine plugs in your local home and garden store. Grass plugs come in trays. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Space plugs in a diamond pattern to reach the square footage coverage in the table above. For an extra boost, add 1 teaspoon of organic fertilizer before planting. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. Next Read: Pick the Ideal Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The best way to bring it back is to start watering it about 3 times a week. Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. Dig a 3" deep hole for each plug (12-16 apart). If you use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. When planted 18 in. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. A St. Augustine grass lawn can live for three to five years with regular maintenance, including watering, mowing, fertilizer, and aeration. 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. 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. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. Before going ahead with this important task, it is recommended to water the dug-in holes deeply and saturate the field. Monitor the grass for signs of disease and take action promptly if a problem is detected. Each hole should be dug slightly larger than, but the same depth as, the plug's root ball. Water daily or as needed until the plugs are firmly rooted and starting to spread. on center, SodPods covers 72 sq. Zoysia Sod Plugs - Large 3" x 3" Plugs - 18 Count Tray - Drought, Salt & Shade Tolerant Turf Grass Press one plug firmly into each hole, making sure each is level with surrounding ground. Water new sod to help roots take hold in the lawn. 5 Types of Grass for Sandy Soil, How to Keep Birds from Eating Grass Seed 10 Safe Ways, How to Tell if Grass Seed is Germinating (Ideal Requirements), Does Ryegrass Spread? Choose the best time to plant The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the 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. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. Local shops usually have much better experts on hand to answer any questions you may have. Poor air circulation promotes diseases such as downy mildew. Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. 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 grass plugs should be planted at least 12 inches apart. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? Once the plugs have begun to spread, the area can be mowed as needed. Lawn Tips, Staff's Picks. Fill in any space around the plugs with soil to secure. The grass needs soil to establish its roots. St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (32-Count) Natural, Affordable Lawn Improvement Bermuda grass requires about 1 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year, vs. St. Augustine grass, which needs 3 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet annually. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months. St. Augustine sod grows best in warm places that dont freeze over in the winter. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. In that period, the daytime temperature remains 80 Fahrenheit on average. Planting St. Augustine plugs is a great alternative to seeds or sod and will give you a usable lawn in a few months' time. 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. Helps St. Augustine grass repair 60% faster. 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. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. Planting, Care, Similar Grasses, and Disadvantages. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. 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. Before discussing how you can grow St. Augustine grass, lets talk a little bit more about the grass itself. Looking for some answers when it comes to feeding your lawn? 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. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. 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. What now? If the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water. Make slightly larger holes than the plugs; this will make it easier to plant them. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. You can also use digital instruments such as the area calculator tool. Using plugs is the cheapest way to grow an st. augustine lawn, and heres how you can do it. St. Augustine grass plugs are a great way to fill in bare and dead spots. Prevention is the best way to control chinch bugs. Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we want to help you enjoy it. Repair Bare Spots or Start a New Lawn. 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. YARD PLUGGER cuts a 3" X 3" square plug of sod or soil - the size of most commercially available grass plugs. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time.