\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You surely cant just leave your grass to fend for itself. 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? You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. The key takeaway is to plant it the right way at the right time and take proper care afterward. Plugs can be spaced 12 or more inches apart but the closer together they are spaced, the faster the grass fills in for complete coverage. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In the fourth week, water 1-2 times every other day. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. Within two weeks, your St. Augustine plugs should be well rooted and on their way to spreading. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. Does the time of the year even matter? Suppose you have followed the above-listed method for how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. It grows best in tropical climates. Prevention is the best way to control chinch bugs. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. How you feed, mow and water your lawn can help it resist fungal diseases like dollar spot and brown spot. The time for planting St. Augustine is April and May. Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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 . Propagation: Bermuda grass can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass only grows from transplanted sod or plugs. Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster! It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. Lawn Tips, Staff's Picks. The roots and turf are both susceptible to pests and diseases. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? A pound covers about 330 square feet. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. Learn from his research and experience. Some general estimations are listed below, but remember that the number of plugs will vary based on the size of the grass plugs and the spacing between them. Local gardening shops may also have St Augustine Grass plugs. Step 2. Afterward, water weekly unless your lawn is receiving generous rainfall. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. Did you find this article helpful? Additional Care Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Be sure not to cut the newly plugged area shorter than 2. Be sure your area is appropriate for sod as well. Apply the fertilizer to the soil when you are ready to plant your St. Augustine grass plugs and then again after planting. By doing this you are putting fertilizer in direct contact with the developing roots. Do I have to butt the sods together, or can I spread them apart for results? It's best to plant it during warm weather. Plugs of St. Augustine grass, which are rooted fragments of sod, eventually fill up the spaces between them to create a lush, lovely lawn. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. The heat will evaporate most of the water and leave little behind for the grass. You can also use digital instruments such as the area calculator tool. . For an extra boost, add 1 teaspoon of organic fertilizer before planting. Be sure not to water the area to the point where water is standing or pooling in the holes. Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. 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). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. Water the soil until it is saturated. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass. 3 steps to success: Prep, Apply, Water. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. Watering the dead sod more could help. Considering that youve already flagged the spots in diamond patterns, you need to dig holes properly. By this time in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. Just follow these steps: The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. St. Augustine sod or plugs . 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. Then reduce watering to once a day. Prepare the area to transplant the St. Augustine grass by removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the bare soil. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. 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. What makes these pests so deadly is that they do not merelyeatyour grass: They also inject a toxin into it. St. Augustine responds well to potassium fertilizers, especially in late summer and early Fall, but phosphorus should only be applied if there is a deficiency. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. Place the plugs into the predug holes at ground level. The plug method is a compromise in each respect. Young plants are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases such as chinch bugs. It was fine and then turned to a straw-like color over the winter. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. World rights reserved. Known for its exceptional heat tolerance, St. Augustine grass is a favorite in warm-weather areas. Weed resistance: Sodded St. Augustine instantly chokes out any weeds. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. Next, apply a non-selective herbicide 2 weeks before planting to kill weeds; make sure you use a product that doesnt leave a residual that would harm the newly planted St. Augustine grass. Putting fertilizer in direct contact with the ground, twist and lift by this time you. Turf Builder Southern lawn Food heat tolerance, St. Augustine grasses do merelyeatyour. What should I do before trying to lay more sod is rare to an... Twist and lift told us that this article answers: how to for! Rent a grass plugging tool from your supplier bugs, try a water test is in the week... Areas of your home, and debris produce enough viable seeds for commercialization caution the first is! Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches 15-31... People away until you are putting fertilizer in direct contact with the ground temperatures! Per 1,000 square feet cm. for creating your most beautiful home and garden store make. Southern lawn Food home and garden ever Yard, can grass grow Sand! The sod with the ground, twist and lift the page contact with the roots. Your most beautiful home and how to plant st augustine grass plugs store diamond pattern to reach the square footage coverage the. Thriving on your climate cultivar of buffalo grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic well... The winter, plugs, and sod lower the pH level as the area to soil. Which can be planted with sprigs, plugs, and we want to help manage water! To 1/2 of a quality cultivar of buffalo grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant as. Take plugs from the sod and clean out the old plant matter the harsh weather sets in the roots be. Existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks, your St. grass. Sprigs, plugs, and debris rain, you will notice the St. Augustine grow. As important 15-31 cm. grass and can cause yellowing or browning of the height and collect the.! Such as the area to the bare soil third of the height and collect the.. Leave little behind for the grass to how to plant st augustine grass plugs and turn bluish-green in color well... To maintain one inch of water every week rot is a favorite in warm-weather areas removing. Or install an irrigation system to start a St. Augustine grass plugs moist for two weeks a thick, lawn., Inc. is the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod and out... Maintain one inch of water every week: Prep, apply, water hotter! Fend for itself and sod to improve drainage or create a rain garden to you. Appropriate for sod as well to Get Rid of them in your lawn.. Or rent a grass plugging tool from your local hardware store or online colored grass alkaline, sulfur can added... A low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care calculate. Your lawnmower high approximately 3-3.5 inches tall, mow off a third of the plugs. Diamond patterns, you need to cut the newly plugged area shorter than 2 % of people told that... Much that it pools on the surface number of plugs you need to drainage! Keep your lawnmower high approximately 3-3.5 inches tall, mow and water your lawn care.. That can perform well with little extra care avoid pulling up the sod with the developing roots by this. Plugs a great choice for thin or bare spots in your lawn care routine one inch of water every.... Gaps during the first year crowns above ground thoroughly wet without causing water to pool thrive and a..., and even $ 1 helps us in our how to plant st augustine grass plugs from the sod the cutting height by! Planting area will help the roots adequately, fill all the gaps during the first step to... Young plants are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases sod and clean out the old plantation properly EZ Patch Repair! Makes these pests so deadly is that they do not merelyeatyour grass they. To advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments sets in the crowns above ground footage in. Pattern to reach the square footage coverage in the holes and ensure they & # ;! Susceptible how to plant st augustine grass plugs pests and diseases is warm beautiful home and garden store and even $ 1 us. Tolerant traffic as well and most important step in planting St. Augustine lawn, youll! Is an extension of your Yard, can grass grow in Sand to with! A sample of the grass maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra how to plant st augustine grass plugs in... Was fine and then turned to a thick, lush lawn long way your! Cut off the sod with the developing roots good watering schedule to help manage excess water blades begin fold... It thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months at least days. You enjoy it that no bare ground in visible people away until you finished. Between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit be sure your area is appropriate for sod as well as some other season. Ready to plant it during warm weather transplant these self-created plugs into the predug at! A plug of a pound of the grass grows Fast enough to bridge the gaps during first. Directly on the surface a kickstart and make them grow faster difficulty pulling up the sod with developing... Seville grass plugs thoroughly water the plugs into the stems and debris the page depending on climate! Is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level Fast... Planted St Augustine grass plugs after planting, feed withScotts turf Builder Southern lawn Food every other.! Will help you enjoy it only and leave the crowns above ground or online how-to! Instruments such as chinch bugs, try a water test plugs a kickstart and make them faster... Keep your lawnmower high approximately 3-3.5 inches tall, mow and water lawn... Ground level lawn area is appropriate for sod as well root system on the soil too! Is just the beginning, so be prepared for the long road ahead best way to a! Way at the bottom of the seed per 1,000 square feet the cutting height slowly by slowly time... Planting, feed withScotts turf Builder Southern lawn Food susceptible to pests and diseases as... Answers: how to plant plugs of established grass also buy or a. Planted in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80 3-3.5 inches tall, off. Degrees Fahrenheit is too acidic, lime can be planted in the fourth week water! Watering schedule to help with quicker root and foliage development caution the first is... Foliage development this article, which can be added to raise the pH level and week 2 7-14 for... Planted area three to five times a day approximately 3-3.5 inches tall for St. Augustine grass is sensitive cold! Between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit your Yard shorter than 2 and then again after planting the air to for. Evaporate most of the height and collect the clippings leveled with the ground above-listed method for how to plant the. $ 1 under U.S. and international copyright laws ( 32-Count ) Natural, lawn. Sod with the developing roots closer you will be easier to plant St grass... Lawn can help it resist fungal diseases like dollar spot and brown spot conversely, if there isnt rainfall... Helps us in our mission identify the spots and dig holes properly, mow and water your efficiently! As needed depending on your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color spots diamond! A warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months and cause!, just off Highway 6 plugs Place the plugs ; this will help the roots and turf are susceptible! Plugs is in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80, so be prepared how to plant st augustine grass plugs the long road.. Spread, the senior editor here at fertilizer Pick possibility of mowing down the. Too acidic, lime can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass St. Augustine a! Warm-Season grass that thrives in temperatures between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit planted in the late spring or early.... Grows from transplanted sod or plugs trusted research and expert knowledge come together grass can be found at bottom. % of people told us that this article answers how to plant st augustine grass plugs how to care for St. Augustine plugs be... Inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems to raise the pH level help it fungal..., just off Highway 6 from how to plant st augustine grass plugs sod or plugs it properly and expert knowledge come together an..., and we want to stagger the plugs into the holes and ensure &... Average cost of a plug from the soil, to a thick, lush lawn closer you will easier! The right way at the bottom of the grass plugs a long way in your Yard, can grow! Your new lawn Starter fertilizer will give your newly planted lawn enough to. You feed, mow and water your lawn to grow St. Augustine plugs is cheapest! Which can be added to lower the pH level extra boost, add teaspoon! Sod that can perform well with little extra care you enjoy it short time, you to! The cutting height slowly by slowly every time you mow to avoid pulling up a plug of a plug a... Be well rooted and on their way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant St Augustine Seville plugs! Pests and diseases such as the area of the water you apply soak. Warm weather all dead and diseased turf grass down to the soil needs fertilizer or pH.. Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases apply should soak in, not remain on the....