Harvest grass from an inconspicuous or area where grass is very thick. Share it with your fellow lawn owners and help them out as well. 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. You can decrease the amount of water to once a week when the plugs start spreading. Water them deeply 6. Plant the grass plugs Safely place the plugs in the holes one after the other as you securely tap the soil around them to ensure proper soil-plug contact. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. We hope that this step-by-step guide helped you understand how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you dont want to spend some pretty penny on the grass and you are not in a hurry to have a green backyard, grass plugs are the best option for you. Available in a 27.5-ounce bottle. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass 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. You need some tough, weather-tolerant St. Augustine grass. One big drawback is that it does not do well with regular foot traffic, so if you're looking . Planting the plugs incorrectly can lead to a loss of resources. Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. If the soil is hard, break it down using a tiller. Space each plug 6 to 12 inches apart in the row and add a little starter fertilizer around each plug. After you plant the plugs, you will notice the grass is spreading. You want to avoid this because soil-covered crowns can rot and die. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. Looking for some answers when it comes to feeding your lawn? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. There are a few green twigs coming back to life but I think it's dead. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. Within two weeks, your St. Augustine plugs should be well rooted and on their way to spreading. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Planting St. Augustine Grass Through Plugs. Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. Do I have to butt the sods together, or can I spread them apart for results? Just follow these steps: The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. Be sure not to water the area to the point where water is standing or pooling in the holes. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Brown patch is a fungal disease that can form circular patches of brown grass. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. The next step would be to water the plugs and ensure the field is well-irrigated properly. Keep pets and other people away until you are finished. Give it a year to take hold. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time. Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. St. Augustine grass performs best if fertilized regularly, on a schedule. 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV. Be sure your area is appropriate for sod as well. Learn from his research and experience. If the new St. Augustine grass dries out during establishment, the turf can easily and very quickly die since it has no root system to support the sod growing. St. Augustine plugs needs at least 90 days before the first frost. Prepare the planting area 3. It thrives in temperatures between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. This period will last for well around 2 weeks, and once they start spreading, you can give them an inch of water per week. If you use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. 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? How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Tips for Success, 1) Decide How Far Apart to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, 3) Prep the Soil for Planting the St. Augustine Plugs, 4) Drill or Dig the Holes for Your St. Augustine Grass 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. Evenly applyScotts EZ Patch Lawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawnsover the planting area so that no bare ground in visible. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. In areas where the grass will go dormant, plant your plugs after the last frost of the winter. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. You can prevent downy mildew through good garden hygiene: St. Augustine grass grows more quickly than many other lawn grasses. You wont need to wait for years to see your lawn turn lush green. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. By doing this you are putting fertilizer in direct contact with the developing roots. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. 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. The southern law chinch bug has probably been feeding on the stems, this causes the straw colour and some patches to appear. It will become green again when warm weather returns. Water new sod to help roots take hold in the lawn. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Do Grasshoppers Bite? In the fifth week onward, your lawn should go 2 to 3 days between watering unless there is extreme drought. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How you feed, mow and water your lawn can help it resist fungal diseases like dollar spot and brown spot. The larger the spacing, the longer it will take for the plugs to grow together. 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. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. You can learn more about this here. Laying sod is a breeze, and the result is an instant lawn, so you will pay the most for that option. Once the newly planted st. Augustine plugs strongly establish their roots on the surface. Here are common St Augustine grass problems you should be aware of. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Avoid stepping on sod you have already laid. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. You can also buy or rent a grass plugging tool from your local hardware store or online. Step 1: Preparing the Soil for St Augustine Grass. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It's best to plant it during warm weather. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. Clear the site of weeds, stones, and debris. . 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. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. 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. Simply water the plugs sufficiently but not so much that it pools on the surface. You may even find them at some big stores like Home Depot or Lowes. 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. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. 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. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 F. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. If you want to establish a St. Augustine turf and you are tight on budget, you need to think again. Results may vary. Plugs, on the other hand, are a much cheaper alternative. If you spread them apart, weeds will grow between sods. You can do this by using a sod cutter or rototiller. Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we want to help you enjoy it. You Can Barefoot Test Our Grass Varieties at Our Office. Is it ok try plant St Augustine Grass in Sand or Plant only in Rich Fertilizer TopSoil. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months. St. Augustinegrass is the most widely planted type of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color. When talking about St. Augustine grass plugs, a relevant question comes out, where to find grass plugs? 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! The abovementioned method is an extremely easy way to set up your st. Augustine lawn. The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. St. Augustine grass not only tolerates warm temperatures but thrives in the hot sunny season. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. Youll need to monitor them regularly and keep a note that mildew or brown spots are among the earliest signs. When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Provide St. Augustine grass with good drainage. Annually de-thatch your St. Augustine. Mow the lawn area with a lawnmower, set on the lowest setting, to remove all tall weeds from the area you are planting. The best way to bring it back is to start watering it about 3 times a week. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? 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. Just follow these steps: Choose the best time to plant Calculate square footage and spacing Prep the site Plant the grass plugs 1. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. Fill the holes created with soil or sand. Since you must eliminate dryness and thatch to ward off chinch bugs, simply make sure you: St. Augustine grass can be attacked by downy mildew disease. St. Augustine grass is a spreading, warm-season grass for lawns, especially in warm climates. One of the great virtues of St. Augustine grass is that you don't have to mow it much, a fact that you will especially appreciate if you crave low maintenance. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Plant-a-St-Augustine-Sod-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-a-St-Augustine-Sod-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Plant-a-St-Augustine-Sod-Step-1.jpg\/aid9724649-v4-728px-Plant-a-St-Augustine-Sod-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. The closer they are, the faster the bare spots will get filled up. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Step 2. Once you get your results, amend the soil as needed. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. . World rights reserved. 6:06 pm After digging the holes, saturate the area by watering thoroughly but dont completely fill the holes with water. Planting the plugs too deep could cause the crowns to rot. Here's how to bring back dead St. Augustine grass and make it grow green again: 1. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. To ensure strong growth and deep roots, apply one-half pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually during the growing season (spring through fall). Now is also a great time to do a soil test. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) These months are advisable because they are neither excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool. With a little maintenance, the sod may soon grow into a luxurious St. Augustine lawn. Fertilize it initially in spring after it has finished greening up. If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. Add more soil to fill the space because you want your plug snuggly placed inside. Choose the best time to plant The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. Have valuable content in the lawn, garden, and pest niche to share? As long as you are in at least zone 7, don't worry: It's not dead, just dormant. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. A tray of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet. For instance, we shared detailed information about the best time to plant it, follow-up maintenance, and growth rate. Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? 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. 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. The maintenance requirements begin once the st. augustine grass plugs reach a mowable height. The roots and turf are both susceptible to pests and diseases. Let it root in for at least 3 weeks. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. Can I put St. Augustine grass over my existing grass? This will be the ideal time to mow your actively growing grass. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. Mow and Mulch for Optimal Growth This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keep the newly planted St Augustine grass plugs moist for two weeks; . Water the new plugs just as you water new sod. Scotts EZ PatchLawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawns, Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action, Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader, Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn FoodFL. 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. With proper care, St. Augustine grass will establish itself quickly and provide years of enjoyment. Each hole should be spaced according to your plan, 6 to 12 apart. 1. Zoysia Sod Plugs - Large 3" x 3" Plugs - 18 Count Tray - Drought, Salt & Shade Tolerant Turf Grass You will have to keep up with the required irrigation and fertilization. Enjoy! This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. Measure the area 2. Planting will be easier and have better success if the hole is larger than the plug. By doing so, you are giving your grasses sufficient time to get prepared for the upcoming extreme weather. How to Grow St. Augustine Grass From Seed. Planting St. Augustine Grass Using PlugsAn easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. Plant plugs as soon after purchase as possible. This will help you plan how many holes you 'll need to dig and decide whether you 'll need more grass plugs. However, you can plant . Existing vegetation must be dead. ,How Do You Revive St. Augustine Grass? Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. Be mindful of how shade impacts Bermuda and colder temperatures impact St. Augustine. 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. Are you a master of DIY projects. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs. Maintaining these plugs is extremely significant if you want a well-established lawn. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. 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. Use a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorous. By this time in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Weed resistance: Sodded St. Augustine instantly chokes out any weeds. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. It can be pretty pricey. This helps the grass settle into the ground, but avoid using too much water. Many home improvement stores have models available you can take home for a day. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. If you are replacing a pre-existing lawn, then youll need to cut off the sod and clean out the old plantation properly. Planting too deep also encourages diseases or insects. Because in these seasons, the average temperature remains 80 to 100 Fahrenheit which is ideal for growing St. Augustine grass. Continue to feed every 6-8 weeks until the lawn has completely filled in. Remove any weeds from the soil. Water daily or as needed until the plugs are firmly rooted and starting to spread. This will help the roots to be firm and stable in the soil. Adjust accordingly as needed for your area. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. The first step is to clear the area where you want to plant the plugs. Happily, the preventive measures required dovetail with the lawn care tasks you should be performing regularly (even if you don't fear a chinch bug infestation). Water early in the day so that the grass blades have time to dry before nightfall. Known for its exceptional heat tolerance, St. Augustine grass is a favorite in warm-weather areas. Take the details to your supplier for advice or use it to calculate your sod spacing intervals. Plant the Plugs or Sod Place the St. Augustine grass plugs inside the holes in the lawn's soil. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. Meet Mattias Jonsson, the head of content at RainSaucers. St. Augustine sod or plugs . Considering that youve already flagged the spots in diamond patterns, you need to dig holes properly. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. If it is dead, this might be due to bugs.