how to plant st augustine grass plugs

. Natural and shipped fresh from the farm, each pod has been carefully nurtured to have a fully developed root system, just like your lawn. Dig in some organic matter and granular, slow-acting fertilizer, then use a rake to make the soil smooth and level. Common diseases affecting St. Augustine grass include brown patches, gray leaf spots, and take-all root rot. These months are advisable because they are neither excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool. If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. It will also make the plugs grow together faster. The plug method is a compromise in each respect. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. As a warm-season turfgrass, plant St. Augustine grass in spring and summer in full sun with at least 90 days to establish before first frost. The first step is to clear the area where you want to plant the plugs. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Once youve laid it, youll need to water it once a day for the first week. Are you a master of DIY projects. 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. 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. Lets find out. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. Space plugs in a diamond pattern to reach the square footage coverage in the table above. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in 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. Next Read: Pick the Ideal Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass. . But the size may vary. 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. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. Be mindful of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine. Each hole should be spaced according to your plan, 6 to 12 apart. Design Summer is the peak growing season for St. Augustine grass. Your new lawn needs thorough watering in week 1 and week 2. MANUAL SOD CUTTER is great for transplanting grass plugs of all types of turf grasses including zoysia, Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine and many others so you can choose the best sod to repair your lawn. 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. So, the best time to grow it would be summer and spring. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. You Can Barefoot Test Our Grass Varieties at Our Office. Each diamond will be 12 inches apart, and the ones in the middle will be 15 feet apart. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. ,How Do You Revive St. Augustine Grass? Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. And if you were to ask for the best time for growing St. Augustine grass in the U.S., I would say: you can grow your grass from May all the way to July. By doing so, you are giving your grasses sufficient time to get prepared for the upcoming extreme weather. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months. You might be interested: If you want to plant some, wait until the spring or early summer, then spray a glyphosate weedkiller over the planting area to protect the plants from competing grasses. Pay special attention to keeping the ground evenly moist until you see that the grass has not only sprouted, but also begun to spread. The maintenance requirements begin once the st. augustine grass plugs reach a mowable height. Dig a 3" deep hole for each plug (12-16 apart). Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. You can grow St. Augustine grass during the summer and make sure you lay the plugs on well-aerated soil, then apply phosphorous fertilizer and come up with a good watering schedule that will encourage quicker root and foliage development. It is expensive to establish St. Augustine because it can only be planted with sprigs, plugs, and sod. 2. 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. The landscaping supplier should look at the sketch map and measurements to advise you on the number of plugs you need for that specific area. Plant the Plugs or Sod Place the St. Augustine grass plugs inside the holes in the lawn's soil. Select a time period that is at least three months after the last frost of the winter and at least three months before the first frost of the fall to harvest. 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. St. Augustine grass does better in a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. You can rent or buy plugging tools. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. For digging holes, a garden trowel is enough. Take a shovel or a plugger tool and make holes the right size to accommodate your St. Augustine grass plugs. This tool makes perfectly-plug-sized holes with a lot less work on your part. What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 2 to 3 inches at all times. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. How long does a St. Augustine grass lawn last? DO NOT use potting soil mixes with heavy organic matter content as filler. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! A tray of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. Newly planted St. Augustine grass lawns need protection while they are becoming established. 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? 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. Ultimate Weed Identification Guide With, Best Fertilizer for Zoysia Grass How To Do It, Centipede Grass Pros and Cons When Its Good, Centipede Grass Seed Whats Critical to Know Before You Sow, How to Clean and Maintain your Artificial Lawn, Sevin Dust One of the Best Pesticide Dusts, Use an all-vegetation herbicide to kill all grass and weeds in the area we recommend, Wait two weeks for the herbicide to completely dissipate, Break up the soil break up compacted soil with a tiller; if soil is loose, use a garden rake, Remove all dead thatch and plant residue from the area. Tips to help you make St. Augustine Grass spread faster How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker, Fuller, and Greener: A Complete Lawn Care Guide. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. Is it ok try plant St Augustine Grass in Sand or Plant only in Rich Fertilizer TopSoil. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Available in a 27.5-ounce bottle. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. 3 steps to success: Prep, Apply, Water. SodPods can also be used as a cost-effective way to plant a beautiful new lawn. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. Keep the newly planted St Augustine grass plugs moist for two weeks; . When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. The optimum height for mowing St Augustine grass is 3.5 to 4 inches. However, sods may not be suitable for everyone because they are costly. With a little care and patience, plugs will easily renovate your yard. The holes for your St. Augustine grass can be dug by hand, using a specialized tool rented from your local hardware store or lawn care company, or using a drill attachment meant for making these types of holes in the ground for plug or bulb planting. If you want to plant St. Augustine grass using plugs, the best time to do so is in the late spring or summer. Thoroughly water the area before planting. Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. Provide St. Augustine grass with good drainage. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. 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. Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster! Place the plugs 5. Looking for some answers when it comes to feeding your lawn? St. Augustine grass blades are coarser and broader, about 1/3 of an inch in width. Once the plugs have begun to spread, the area can be mowed as needed. Before discussing how you can grow St. Augustine grass, lets talk a little bit more about the grass itself. Water daily or as needed until the plugs are firmly rooted and starting to spread. 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