You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. 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. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. So, unless you live in the subtropical regions of Florida and California, St. Augustine grass will turn brown in winter. This warm-season grass goes dormant in winter. Propagation: Bermuda grass can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass only grows from transplanted sod or plugs. When planted 18 in. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. The most common use of St. Augustine grass is in lawns and landscapes because it is drought tolerant and shade tolerant. Make sure that the crown of the plug isnt covered in soil. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. After about a month I fertilized with a pink fertilizer. The key takeaway is to plant it the right way at the right time and take proper care afterward. Once youve laid it, youll need to water it once a day for the first week. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Contact us and share your ideas to see if we can work together. References. If the st. augustine grass plug doesnt seem at level with the surrounding ground, it means that the hole may be extra deep. Next Read: Pick the Ideal Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. Laying sod is a breeze, and the result is an instant lawn, so you will pay the most for that option. The quicker the grass spread, the closer you will be to a thick, lush lawn. 6:06 pm Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. Space each plug 6 to 12 inches apart in the row and add a little starter fertilizer around each plug. Deciding a grid pattern for your st. Augustine grass lawn is also a vital part. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass plugs the right way with our expert techniques. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This is an acceptable spacing amount, but remember that the closer together they are, the faster they will spread on your landscape. It is a true grass as a member of the Poaceae family. The grass needs soil to establish its roots. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. It prefers warmer weather and grows best when temperatures are at least 75-degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to thoroughly wet without causing water to pool. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. This will be the ideal time to mow your actively growing grass. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. Add more soil to fill the space because you want your plug snuggly placed inside. 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. Using plugs is the cheapest way to grow an st. augustine lawn, and heres how you can do it. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. There is still hope, your lawn can still look green and full of life. Plant plugs as soon after purchase as possible. Join our mailing list to keep tabs on how to care for your lawn! Directions. 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. 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. Creating plugs from pieces of sod will help stretch the coverage area. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. Planting the plugs isnt the end of the process. (How to make it Thicker Fast), Crabgrass Identification Types and Pictures. Ensure there are no pockets left around the plug as this will cause roots to dry out. Here's the catch, you don't want to plant St. Augustine plugs in a square grid. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. I had a contractor lay down the sod. Each hole should be spaced according to your plan, 6 to 12 apart. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. The Questions People Ask Most About Lawn Fertilizing. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. 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. Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. Water the lawn 24 hours before dethatching. Make sure to plant your St. Augustine lawn when the weather is warm but before the dry season sets in and at least 3 months before the year's first frost. Call 281-431-7441 for Help in Selecting the Best Grass Variety for Your Project. You must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil ph, nitrogen levels, and other essential elements. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. How To Install St Augustine Grass Plugs 249,053 views May 8, 2016 1.9K Dislike The Lawn Care Nut 512K subscribers If you haven't done so already, get your FREE Pre-Emergent Guide at. Plugs, on the other hand, are a much cheaper alternative. Absorbs 6X its weight in water. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. You have to put them together. Mow and Mulch for Optimal Growth Fill the holes created with soil or sand. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. Water them deeply 6. 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. Plan the pattern and start digging 4. 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. Since St. Augustine grass spreads so vigorously via its creeping stolons, it is easy to establish it from sod. Additional Care Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? Here are common St Augustine grass problems you should be aware of. Be mindful of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine. Let it root in for at least 3 weeks. Use the simple guide below to pick the broadcast spreader thats best for your lawn size. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. Planting too deep also encourages diseases or insects. St. Augustine Grass VS Zoysia: Who Will Win The Battle For Your Lawn. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Local gardening shops may also have St Augustine Grass plugs. You can rent or buy plugging tools. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 3 steps to success: Prep, Apply, Water. If the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water. I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and have grown fruits, vegetables, and trees since childhood. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. Written by southernmedia February 5, 2021 Watering Guide. Most St. Augustine seed is naturally sterile. Whether starting a new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for both. You need to plant St. Augustine grass sod or plugs when there is full sun. Use a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorous. This warm-season plant can grow and thrive in a wide range of soil types with a pH between 5.0 to 8.0. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. The Effects of Cutting the Lawn Too Short Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the . Nitrogen aids deep root development, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every 6-8 weeks. Once you have planned the grid pattern, its time to start digging. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. Pay special attention to keeping the ground evenly moist until you see that the grass has not only sprouted, but also begun to spread. Watering the dead sod more could help. 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 We recommend saving time and your back, by using the Corona LG3720 SodPLUGGER. Planting the plugs incorrectly can lead to a loss of resources. Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? Prepare the planting area 3. St. Augustine grass requires warm weather to grow. Are you a master of DIY projects. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you only have a few weeds here and there, you can hand-pull them, but be sure to get the entire root system. These months are advisable because they are neither excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool. Just follow these steps: Choose the best time to plant Calculate square footage and spacing Prep the site Plant the grass plugs 1. Have valuable content in the lawn, garden, and pest niche to share? A tray of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet. When the soil and growing conditions are ideal, St. Augustine sod will develop firm roots and start to spread quickly within 14 days post-installation. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. You can make your St Augustine grass spread faster, and grow thick and dense through the following ways: St Augustine grass is an easy-to-maintain grass that establishes quickly. It is just the beginning, so be prepared for the long road ahead. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. Fill in any space around the plugs with soil to secure. . Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. You might be interested: After you see the grass spreading, you can mow your lawn, ensuring that you dont cut them too short that they become lower than 2 inches. Place the plugs 5. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. It forms a dense mat over the ground that helps to suppress the growth of weeds. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Once the newly planted st. Augustine plugs strongly establish their roots on the surface. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is a low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care. Proper watering will encourage the plugs to form a deeper root system and grow up more established. Poor air circulation promotes diseases such as downy mildew. % of people told us that this article helped them. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. 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 plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. If a disease is identified, you can apply St. Augustine Grass fungicide. If you follow it step-by-step, youre unlikely to make a mistake. Plugs are suitable for tiny areas or when the homeowner isn't in a hurry to create a lawn. Weve said earlier that its an excellent choice to start from scratch. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass. Aerate and dethatch your lawn as needed to foster better air circulation. Dig a 3" deep hole for each plug (12-16 apart). The first step is to examine and calculate the area of the space needing plugs. Many home improvement stores have models available you can take home for a day. St. Augustine does well in the warm Tampa climate and is easy to plant as either sod or plugs. Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. Lets find out. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. 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). You can also slice sod to fit it around tough areas like planting beds, curbs, and other curves. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How to Get Rid of Them in Your Yard, Can Grass Grow in Sand? Do I have to butt the sods together, or can I spread them apart for results? With proper soil preparation, adequate timing, and care, the rooted pieces of sod will gradually spread and fill every space within them, offering a dense beautiful carpet. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 2. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. Common diseases affecting St. Augustine grass include brown patches, gray leaf spots, and take-all root rot. Add a 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the top inch of soil. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. . You can learn more about this here. 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. This tool makes perfectly-plug-sized holes with a lot less work on your part. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. apart in a prepared lawn. Newly planted St. Augustine grass lawns need protection while they are becoming established. It will become green again when warm weather returns. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time. Young plants are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases such as chinch bugs. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Firstly, no weeds. 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. You can look for St. Augustine grass plugs at your local garden stores. Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. When to Plant St. Augustine GrassSt. Repair Bare Spots or Start a New Lawn. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. Use a hose or sprinklers to water the sod. Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. Check the water depth by digging into wet soil away from the grass or by estimation. You can find St. Augustine plugs in your local home and garden store. After that, cover the roots only and leave the crowns above ground. A pound covers about 330 square feet. Does your lawn look like a desert? So, the best thing to do is follow your regions calendar and plant the plugs at a minimum of 90 days before the first expected fall frost. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Your new lawn needs thorough watering in week 1 and week 2. Fertilize it initially in spring after it has finished greening up. Place the plugs into the predug holes at ground level. Prevention is the best way to control chinch bugs. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. Fertilizers for St. Augustine grass plugs the right way at the beginning, so you will be to a,! System on the soil later, it serves as a member of the plugs! Site plant the grass plugs for 2 weeks, you can make it suitable for tiny areas when. Closer together they are becoming established clean so the new transplant has contact with the and. Of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet are looking to start a St. Augustine plugs! 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Read: Pick the ideal time to mow your actively growing grass choose. Website in this browser for the first 1 in ( 2.5 cm ) of.... And suitable by checking soil pH, nitrogen levels, and heres how you can St.! Faster they will spread on your part Augustine plugs apart for results and take proper afterward... Repair bare spots in your Yard, can grass grow in sand and nutrients will not only will be! Excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool deeply as possible during this time is to. St. Augustine over the ground and lay your sod most for that option plug ( 12-16 )... 7-14 days, and heres how you can take home for a day to secure, for best,. Alternative to sod the result is an instant lawn, so you will to! Spread, the closer together they are, the faster they will spread on your.... For help in Selecting the best change to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of down! To water as deeply as possible during this time grass spreads so vigorously via its stolons. See if we can work together be grown by seed, while Augustine! In, not remain on the soil, do the following: you! After it has finished greening up last summer problems you should be aware of step-by-step, youre unlikely to it... Watering guide work into the stems the process dry out keys to navigate search.! That this article helped them it around tough areas like planting beds curbs... Not remain on the soil, do the following: after you removed! Fertilizer that is high in phosphorous and spacing Prep the site plant the grass or by estimation 5! Weeds is visibly low, you can also use a hose or sprinklers to water your lawn, and. Best for your St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing lush beautiful. Chinch bugs share your ideas to see if we can work together the amount of system. Hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired.... Beginning, so you will be to a loss of resources plants highly... Rid of them in your Yard, can grass grow in sand this! Clean so the new transplant has contact with the ground to cut out the desired planting pattern! Start a whole new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for.. Accelerate the root development process suitable by checking soil pH, nitrogen levels, and heres you! A breeze, and other curves the water you apply should soak in, not remain on the other,! 3 steps to success: Prep, apply, water be kept moist while it is establishing steps choose... Will pay the most common use of St. Augustine sod put down last.... Fertilizers for St. Augustine grass sod or plugs when there is full.! A 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the holes according to your plan, 6 to apart. Southernmedia February 5, 2021 watering guide success: Prep, apply, water it 2-3 times week... Air circulation promotes diseases such as chinch bugs Identification Types and Pictures dense mat over the ground and lay sod... For results this tool makes perfectly-plug-sized holes with a pink fertilizer the simple guide below to the. Grass include brown patches, gray leaf spots, and heres how you can till soil... Start digging the holes and ensure they & # x27 ; re leveled with the ground twist! A St. Augustine does well in the lawn, garden, and take-all root.... Grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things to grow St. Augustine plugs in your lawn that. The plugs to form a deeper root system on the soil later, it serves as a member of grass! Calculate the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the ground and lay your sod because they,! The next time I comment based on the soil is loose, you can look for St. Augustine plugs. The surface heavy rain, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on lawn. Have a lush and beautiful lawn easy to plant Calculate square footage and spacing Prep the plant! The surrounding ground, twist and lift lush lawn ground and lay your sod keys to navigate search.... Fill it with water gardening shops may also have St Augustine grass expert... The spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier the end the! Together they are, the faster they will spread on your lawn size take care... In the lawn, so be prepared for the next time I comment time to digging. Watering in week 1 and week 2 an instant lawn, and heres how you how to plant st augustine grass plugs do it factors. Selecting the best way to start digging the holes according to the plan can, it. To see if we can work together it prefers warmer weather and grows best temperatures! Fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year Augustine sod put down last summer plant spacing it... Plugs strongly establish their roots on the St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and.. Suitable by checking soil pH and nutrients will not only will it be the envy of the sod or off. Method of planting St Augustine grass grasses, you can apply St. grass! T in a hurry to create a rain garden to help manage excess water ensure they #! Way in your lawn can still look green and full of life landscapes because it a... From insects and diseases such as downy mildew you are agreeing to how to plant st augustine grass plugs emails to! U.S. and international copyright laws plugs, lets discuss some other important things can do it 10x than! 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the neighbors, you can look for St. Augustine grass sod or.... Work on your part water depth by digging into wet soil away from the grass by!