\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. They thrive in wet, humid environments. For best results, keep its soil evenly moist. St. Augustine grasses do not produce enough viable seeds for commercialization. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. There is still hope, your lawn can still look green and full of life. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. To reduce noticeable lawn damage, increase the space between harvested plugs. This grass is best for coastal areas. Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. Looking for some answers when it comes to feeding your lawn? Place the plugs 5. I had a contractor lay down the sod. As long as you are in at least zone 7, don't worry: It's not dead, just dormant. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. Water them deeply 6. Of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant. Newly planted St. Augustine grass lawns need protection while they are becoming established. Local shops usually have much better experts on hand to answer any questions you may have. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. 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. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant 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. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. St. Augustine will take root and spread faster in the right soil conditions. Then thoroughly water the area to soften the soil for easier hole digging and planting of the plugs. A pound covers about 330 square feet. Firstly, no weeds. What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants St. Augustinegrass is the most widely planted type of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color. Weed resistance: Sodded St. Augustine instantly chokes out any weeds. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Water the new plugs just as you water new sod. Heat promotes the growth of St. Augustine grass. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Make a sketch map of the area on the paper and include every dimension. As your new grass grows and flourishes, water deeper and less frequently this will encourage the roots to extend deeply into the soil. 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 Step 2. Planting will be easier and have better success if the hole is larger than the plug. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass perform best in the southern regions, or warmer parts of the United States. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. Local gardening shops may also have St Augustine Grass plugs. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. It can be pretty pricey. If a disease is identified, you can apply St. Augustine Grass fungicide. This will help the roots to be firm and stable in the soil. RainSaucers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, 2023 RainSaucers - Bringing Rain to Your Garden, What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants, How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Summary, How Long to Water Overseeded Lawn? Stores like Lowes and The Home Depot sell 18 grass plugs to a tray. Examples include: St. Augustine grass has traditionally been propagated via sod (plugs), and it is in this form that turf farms or their retailers sell it to homeowners and landscapers. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. Does not contain grass seed. You can buy 1 pound of buffalo grass seed for about $50. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Fill in any space around the plugs with soil to secure. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. Watering makes the ground more malleable and gives the roots of the St. Augustine grass plugs immediate moisture. Simply water the plugs sufficiently but not so much that it pools on the surface. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. Once the planting holes are ready, you may apply lawn starter fertilizer in each hole depending on the recommendations made by your soil extension agent. Mowing Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. St. Augustine grass performs best if fertilized regularly, on a schedule. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. Water the grass plugs Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. Written by southernmedia February 5, 2021 Plugs are suitable for tiny areas or when the homeowner isn't in a hurry to create a lawn. Determine the exact dimensions of the area youll be planting, to ensure you purchase enough St. Augustine grass plugs. The bugs will float to the surface. You need to plant St. Augustine grass sod or plugs when there is full sun. Do you live in a warm state with extreme heat no grass will tolerate? Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we want to help you enjoy it. Once cultivated, St. Augustine grass propagates on its own through stolons, plugs, and sod. You might be interested: We hope that this step-by-step guide helped you understand how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. Grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, but the plugs should be placed equidistantly in all cases. Dethatch your lawn whenever you detect substantial thatch build-up. It has a thick, deep root system and can grow fairly feet tall. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these plugs. Nitrogen aids deep root development, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every 6-8 weeks. For the best results, apply 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (this should be spread over several applications). Are you a master of DIY projects. Take the details to your supplier for advice or use it to calculate your sod spacing intervals. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. This will help you plan how many holes you 'll need to dig and decide whether you 'll need more grass plugs. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. It's best if you put St. Augustine grass directly on the soil. Each plug has been carefully maintained to develop a well established root system, making them an excellent way to start or improve your lawn. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. 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