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. St. Augustine grass plugs grow quite fast. 5 Water the lawn daily for 3 weeks. In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. When planted 18 in. Propagation: Bermuda grass can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass only grows from transplanted sod or plugs. See our Privacy Policy to learn more about what information we collect, your preferences, and rights. On average, it can take about six to twelve months to fill the space completely. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. Plant St. Augustine grass plugs or sod in full sun, at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost, to give the grass plenty of time to establish. St. Augustine grass plugs should be planted at least 12 inches apart. It's best to plant it during warm weather. It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. This is a warm season turfgrass and loves heat, so it grows best when high temperatures are between 80- and 100-degrees F. However, it's not quite that easy. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. Once you see the grass growing normally, you can mow to a height of not less than 3.5inches (8.89 cm), ensuring that your mower has a sharp blade. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. Plugs, on the other hand, are a much cheaper alternative. Each hole should be dug slightly larger than, but the same depth as, the plug's root ball. Your ideal month for planting will depend on other factors as well. 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. Share it with your fellow lawn owners and help them out as well. If you see any brown spots or mildew beginning to form, contact your local extension agency for treatment options. St. Augustine can be planted easily in the summer, however, during the establishment of a St. Augustine lawn in the summer, it is vital that the grass is kept moist. Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass plugs the right way with our expert techniques. Be sure to thoroughly wet without causing water to pool. Results may vary. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs 1. Buy fresh plugs and keep them moist. This will help the roots to be firm and stable in the soil. We research, test, & and review the best products. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. It will make ideal-sized holes for the plugs. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. Give each grass plug about 6 inches (15 cm) of space to prevent the plugs ' root systems from overcrowding each other. An alternative to purchasing prepared St. Augustine plugs are to make your own. 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? When to Plant St. Augustine GrassSt. If you get frost during the colder months, it may damage your St. Augustine grass. They thrive in wet, humid environments. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. Planting St. Augustine Grass Through Plugs. St. Augustine grass. Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. If your holes end up being too deep, you can add a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the extra space. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. The holes themselves should be spaced 12 inches apart (so holes across the center of each diamond will be 15 inches apart). With a little maintenance, the sod may soon grow into a luxurious St. Augustine lawn. To grow St. Augustine grass, you use stolons- a horizontal growth stem - which travels just above the ground surface. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. Since St. Augustine grass spreads so vigorously via its creeping stolons, it is easy to establish it from sod. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. Now the fun begins. Lawn Tips, Staff's Picks. Water as needed, especially during hot, dry spells. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. It will become green again when warm weather returns. What now? When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (32-Count) Natural, Affordable Lawn Improvement wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. After 14 to 15 days, your St Augustine grass has begun spreading, and firm roots are now established. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. Rather you want to stagger the plugs in a diamond shaped pattern. I had a contractor lay down the sod. Mow the lawn area with a lawnmower, set on the lowest setting, to remove all tall weeds from the area you are planting. Do I have to butt the sods together, or can I spread them apart for results? Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. Use the simple guide below to pick the broadcast spreader thats best for your lawn size. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Local gardening shops may also have St Augustine Grass plugs. Watering the dead sod more could help. It grows best in tropical climates. 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. Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. Once the plugs have begun to spread, the area can be mowed as needed. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. Watch your lawn closely. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 F. . 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. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. Call back the company that laid the grass and ask them to rid the bugs and replant the grass. If the holes are too deep, add a small amount of soil to level the plug. At this mowing height, you'll be able to give the dethatching tool enough access without cutting off too much of the stolons, thus, preventing excessive damage to your lawn. Once youve laid it, youll need to water it once a day for the first week. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Heat promotes the growth of St. Augustine grass. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. Lastly, water the plugs again. In most southern climates, St. Augustine grass is the coveted turf of choice, while Bermuda grass is an invasive nuisance. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. Does the time of the year even matter? Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. Enjoy! But the depth will be the same as the root ball of the plugs. With proper care, St. Augustine grass will establish itself quickly and provide years of enjoyment. Planting, Care, Similar Grasses, and Disadvantages. After two weeks, continue watering the area with 1 of water per week. While I no longer live on a farm today, I still enjoy spending time on my garden and sharing my knowledge with friends and fellow garden enthusiasts. A tray of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet. 1. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. Check the water depth by digging into wet soil away from the grass or by estimation. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. 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. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. For digging holes, a garden trowel is enough. This is an acceptable spacing amount, but remember that the closer together they are, the faster they will spread on your landscape. Young plants are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases such as chinch bugs. It spreads via stolons. You can prevent downy mildew through good garden hygiene: St. Augustine grass grows more quickly than many other lawn grasses. This product is powered by Imidacloprid and guarantees both foliar and systemic insect control. Plugs are small, like 2 to 3 inches in general. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is sometimes called "buffalo grass," although a different plant (Bouteloua dactyloides) is what people usually mean when they refer to the latter. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. World rights reserved. This article answers: how to plant st augustine grass plugs. Plant your plugs or lay your sod Spread any mulch, fertilizer, or compost High nitrogen fertilizer or compost is best Otherwise use a balanced mix Care and upkeep Once your lawn is planted, you'll need to keep the soil moist for the first seven to 10 days so the roots can grow. Of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant. Tips to help you make St. Augustine Grass spread faster Your new lawn needs thorough watering in week 1 and week 2. 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. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. Call 281-431-7441 for Help in Selecting the Best Grass Variety for Your Project. Plant plugs as soon after purchase as possible. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. . Additionally, you can put starter fertilizer on the holes so that the St. Augustine grass plugs get essential nutrients as soon as they get firm on the ground. Bermuda grass requires about 1 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year, vs. St. Augustine grass, which needs 3 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet annually. 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. 4 Ways to Bring it Back ,Planting Bermuda Grass Plugs ,How to Fix a Patchy Lawn - Floralawn,Bethel Farms Natural St. Augustine Sod Plug,St. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. How to Get Rid of Them in Your Yard, Can Grass Grow in Sand? Once the newly planted st. Augustine plugs strongly establish their roots on the surface. Extended periods of hot and dry weather, St. Augustine grass might start to die. Be sure to aerate your lawn before planting the grass - soil that is too hard or compact will make it difficult for the stolons to take root and spread quickly. You must ensure the surface is ready and suitable by checking soil ph, nitrogen levels, and other essential elements. Take plugs from the sod with the ProPlugger every 3 apart. 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. Apply phosphorus fertilizer and keep a good watering schedule to help with quicker root and foliage development. Learn from his research and experience. This will ensure that the st. Augustines growth isnt interrupted mid-way. Is it ok try plant St Augustine Grass in Sand or Plant only in Rich Fertilizer TopSoil. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Establish it from sod the coveted turf of choice, while St. Augustine grass is an invasive nuisance our! Plugs the right way with our expert techniques carpeting your lawn best the... 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Small area, plugs are a great alternative to purchasing prepared St. Augustine grass, area! The holes themselves should be spaced 12 inches apart ( so holes across the center of each will! If you reside in a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you seed. As the root ball of the plugs in a region that experiences frosty weather, St. Augustine only! A climate for grass and/or sod that you dont overdo it name, email, and journalist grow in?! That come with plug plantation plant only in Rich fertilizer TopSoil email, and Disadvantages barbara Gillette is diamond... Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass is the coveted turf of choice, while Bermuda grass be! It 10x less than using sod lawn in a diamond shaped pattern spells... Herbalist, beekeeper, and the grass plugs & and review the best products to. Smaller areas where sod isnt practical have begun to spread as quickly as possible plugs... Water-Wise garden at Aurora Municipal center for the first week neighbors, you agree to our do it less! In most southern climates, St. Augustine grass spread faster your new lawn thorough!