how to plant st augustine grass plugs

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. If youre replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and vegetation. 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. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. Deciding a grid pattern for your st. Augustine grass lawn is also a vital part. Afterward, water freely every day until the roots have firmly established and started spreading. These uninvited occurrences interrupt your plants steady growth and threaten to damage it in the early stages. Buy fresh plugs and keep them moist. 2. St Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in sun and warmer temperatures found in the southern part of the United States. If the holes happen to be deeper than they should be, fill the unwanted space with nutrient-rich soil. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. St. Augustine grass performs best if fertilized regularly, on a schedule. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. 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. You can rent or buy plugging tools. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. St. Augustine grass is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and is moderately drought-tolerant once established, but it will perform best when you avoid either moisture extreme: too little or too much. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! But, if you are lucky enough to find the seed and want to try your hand at it, sow it in late spring to early summer. If the new St. Augustine grass dries out during establishment, the turf can easily and very quickly die since it has no root system to support the sod growing. Water your lawn adequately. Kill all the weeds or pre-existing lawn grass by spraying a non-selective herbicide. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. Be mindful of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Do Grasshoppers Bite? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Scotts EZ Patch contains fertilizer and a mulch that absorbs up to 6x its weight in water to help St. Augustine grass plugs fill in faster. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. It is easier to flag where you will place St. Augustine plugs before digging. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs. The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. It prefers warmer weather and grows best when temperatures are at least 75-degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to avoid this from happening, then make sure to keep a close eye on your st. Augustine grass plugs. The roots and turf are both susceptible to pests and diseases. Planting St. Augustine Grass Using PlugsAn easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. You can use a mower at its highest setting (3-4) inches to cut this grass. Continue watering until the EZ Patch is completely saturated and no more water is being absorbed which may take several minutes. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time. . Spring or Summer, when the temperatures are at least 80 degrees. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. Happily, the preventive measures required dovetail with the lawn care tasks you should be performing regularly (even if you don't fear a chinch bug infestation). Mow and Mulch for Optimal Growth What makes these pests so deadly is that they do not merelyeatyour grass: They also inject a toxin into it. You can find St. Augustine plugs in your local home and garden store. apart in a prepared lawn. In areas where the grass will go dormant, plant your plugs after the last frost of the winter. Is it ok try plant St Augustine Grass in Sand or Plant only in Rich Fertilizer TopSoil. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the roots of the grass and can cause yellowing or browning of the grass. Prepare the planting area 3. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Last Updated: February 13, 2023 Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. 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. Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. Let it root in for at least 3 weeks. Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster! This will ensure that the st. Augustines growth isnt interrupted mid-way. How to Kill Bermuda Grass in 5 Different Ways, What to Know About Buffalo Grass: A Low-Maintenance Lawn Option, What to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass and How to Care for It, Everything to Know About Growing Tall Fescue Grass, 9 Types of Sod for Your Lawn and How to Choose One, How to Winterize Your Lawn to Keep It Healthy, How to Dethatch a Lawn and Why You Need To, How to Fix Patchy Grass and Bare Spots in Your Lawn, Mexican Feather Grass: Plant Care & Growing Guide, St. Augustine grass, buffalo grass, carpet grass, couchgrass, quickgrass, wiregrass, mission grass, pimento grass, Charleston grass, North America, South America, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Not as hardy in cold weather as other grasses, Does not spread by seed; requires sodding or plugs, Can handle regular foot traffic but not heavy, repeated traffic. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. 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. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in In the third week, you should reduce watering to 1-3 times per day and sometimes skip a day between watering if the lawn is not drying out. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. Add a 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the top inch of soil. How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Tips for Success, 1) Decide How Far Apart to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, 3) Prep the Soil for Planting the St. Augustine Plugs, 4) Drill or Dig the Holes for Your St. Augustine Grass Plugs. Weeds will compete with your grass for nutrients. But the depth will be the same as the root ball of the plugs. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Imidacloprid 2F Select T/I is a highly effective insect control product and termiticide that offers prevention and control over a wide array of common lawn and garden insects. The first step is to examine and calculate the area of the space needing plugs. Take the details to your supplier for advice or use it to calculate your sod spacing intervals. 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. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. The grass needs soil to establish its roots. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. You must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil ph, nitrogen levels, and other essential elements. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. This product is sold in four 8-count packs. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. (You can also purchase St. Augustine sod, but it can be expensive.). The next step would be to water the plugs and ensure the field is well-irrigated properly. Your new lawn needs thorough watering in week 1 and week 2. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. It's best if you put St. Augustine grass directly on the soil. Watering makes the ground more malleable and gives the roots of the St. Augustine grass plugs immediate moisture. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. 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. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Benefits of plugs include the fact that you can plant one and within a matter of months they will spread and fill in the area . Then thoroughly water the area to soften the soil for easier hole digging and planting of the plugs. Use the simple guide below to pick the broadcast spreader thats best for your lawn size. 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. 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. St. Augustine is one of the fastest-growing grasses, which means that ignorance of maintenance requirements can lead the grass growth to get out of hand. Check the water depth by digging into wet soil away from the grass or by estimation. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Results may vary. Rather you want to stagger the plugs in a diamond shaped pattern. 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. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. St. Augustine grass. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. Evenly applyScotts EZ Patch Lawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawnsover the planting area so that no bare ground in visible. When should I plant St Augustine grass? When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. Directions. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Suppose you have followed the above-listed method for how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. Within two weeks, your St. Augustine plugs should be well rooted and on their way to spreading. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. Does the time of the year even matter? Plugs are ideal for small areas or places where the homeowner isnt in a rush to have a yard full of grass. Join our mailing list to keep tabs on how to care for your lawn! Augustine ,How to Make St. Augustine Grass Spread Quickly and Grow Thicker ,St. Augustine 3,Types of Sod for Your Lawn - The Home Depot,,St Augustine Grass Seed . This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. It will also make the plugs grow together faster. I had a contractor lay down the sod. If the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. Read More Here. You can do this by using a sod cutter or rototiller. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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