how to plant st augustine grass plugs

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Lets find out. The best way to ensure that your holes are perfectly dug is by using a grass plugging tool, these are generally available in local gardening tools, and you can use them without much effort. How long does a St. Augustine grass lawn last? If you only have a few weeds here and there, you can hand-pull them, but be sure to get the entire root system. We deliver the best quality grass in Houston, and we do it at a competitive price too. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. St. Augustine Grass VS Zoysia: Who Will Win The Battle For Your Lawn. Considering that youve already flagged the spots in diamond patterns, you need to dig holes properly. 1. St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass perform best in the southern regions, or warmer parts of the United States. Once cultivated, St. Augustine grass propagates on its own through stolons, plugs, and sod. Planting the plugs isnt the end of the process. St. Augustine grass is an aggressive grower and can compete with weeds. I had a contractor lay down the sod. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to receive emails with related tips, information, and promotions from Scotts Miracle-Gro, it's affiliates, and select partners and to our Conditions of Use and consent to the collection of your personal information. With a little care and patience, plugs will easily renovate your yard. St. Augustinegrass does require water to stay green during periods of drought, however it doesn't need more water than other grass species to remain green. Existing vegetation must be dead. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Written by southernmedia February 5, 2021 Deciding a grid pattern for your st. Augustine grass lawn is also a vital part. Stores like Lowes and The Home Depot sell 18 grass plugs to a tray. 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. You can learn more about this here. One big drawback is that it does not do well with regular foot traffic, so if you're looking . Add a 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the top inch of soil. You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. Plugs are small, like 2 to 3 inches in general. Results may vary. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. 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. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. If you use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. 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. Here are common St Augustine grass problems you should be aware of. Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. In most southern climates, St. Augustine grass is the coveted turf of choice, while Bermuda grass is an invasive nuisance. Kneel or walk on plywood instead. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. This article answers: how to plant st augustine grass plugs. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. If youre replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and vegetation. Call 281-431-7441 for Help in Selecting the Best Grass Variety for Your Project. You can decrease the amount of water to once a week when the plugs start spreading. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during a growing season for a hardy and disease-resistant St. Augustine lawn. However, grass plugs will take almost a year to grow in your lawn fully. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. Dig in some organic matter and granular, slow-acting fertilizer, then use a rake to make the soil smooth and level. Laying sod is a breeze, and the result is an instant lawn, so you will pay the most for that option. So, the best time to grow it would be summer and spring. 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. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. To grow St. Augustine grass, you use stolons- a horizontal growth stem - which travels just above the ground surface. Phosphorus helps with root growth, so if you want your st. Augustinegrass plugs to spread faster. If you see any brown spots or mildew beginning to form, contact your local extension agency for treatment options. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. After that, cover the roots only and leave the crowns above ground. Continue watering until the EZ Patch is completely saturated and no more water is being absorbed which may take several minutes. Planting too deep also encourages diseases or insects. This warm-season plant can grow and thrive in a wide range of soil types with a pH between 5.0 to 8.0. (You can also purchase St. Augustine sod, but it can be expensive.). To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! You need to plant St. Augustine grass sod or plugs when there is full sun. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Youll need to monitor them regularly and keep a note that mildew or brown spots are among the earliest signs. Helps repair St. Augustinegrass 60% faster* *Results 15 days after application vs. untreated control. Be sure not to cut the newly plugged area shorter than 2. Ensure there are no pockets left around the plug as this will cause roots to dry out. Please call us at 281-431-7441 or use our contact form for more information or a quote for your project. Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. Water the new plugs just as you water new sod. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? Measure the area 2. Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the roots of the grass and can cause yellowing or browning of the grass. (How to make it Thicker Fast), Crabgrass Identification Types and Pictures. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Newly planted St. Augustine grass lawns need protection while they are becoming established. Aerate and dethatch your lawn as needed to foster better air circulation. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. Depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet. Use a garden trowell to dig holes. In areas where the grass will go dormant, plant your plugs after the last frost of the winter. 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. You must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil ph, nitrogen levels, and other essential elements. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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