St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 2 to 3 inches at all times. Press one plug firmly into each hole, making sure each is level with surrounding ground. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) You do not have to remove the old plant matter. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. Another crucial step is to remove weeds from the soil surface. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. Of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Plugs, on the other hand, are a much cheaper alternative. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. Use a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorous. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. 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 to Plant Grass Plugs Materials: Soil Analysis Kit Measuring Tape Sod Cutter, Rototiller or Glyphosate Auger Bit and Drill New Lawn Starter Box Step 1: Test Your Soil If you're planning to plant grass plugs throughout your entire lawn, the first step we recommend is testing the soil. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. 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. 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. 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. This product is sold in four 8-count packs. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. If you want to establish a St. Augustine turf and you are tight on budget, you need to think again. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. . Plugs can also be made from existing grass in your yard. When will the best results occur? Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. It has a thick, deep root system and can grow fairly feet tall. Grass plugs are turf plants that are grown in trays. The Effects of Cutting the Lawn Too Short Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the . We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. World rights reserved. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. Prepare the area to transplant the St. Augustine grass by removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the bare soil. Once you have taken the measurements per square foot, go to your nearest gardening store and buy the plug trays. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. To get St. Augustine grass to spread faster, plant St. Augustine during summer and make sure you lay it down the right type of soil - preferably a well-aerated soil type. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Once you have planned the grid pattern, its time to start digging. Rake all the debris from the area and rototill the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. St. Augustine grass does better in a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. This part is crucial because when plugs are planted too deep in the soil, they become vulnerable to fungi and insects. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. You can rent or buy plugging tools. You can do this by using a sod cutter or rototiller. However, to achieve a lush lawn of St. Augustine grass, there is some work involved. 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. 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. It will become green again when warm weather returns. Known for its exceptional heat tolerance, St. Augustine grass is a favorite in warm-weather areas. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Houston Grass South is located just a few miles east of Sienna Plantation in Arcola, TX. Using plugs is the cheapest way to grow an st. augustine lawn, and heres how you can do it. Does not contain grass seed. After that, you need to maintain one inch of water every week. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. Mowing St. Augustine grass identification is based on its bluish-green leaf color with wide, flat blades and low, creeping habit that allows it to form dense mats. If things go right and factors are properly considered, youll have a lush and beautiful lawn in no time. As long as you are in at least zone 7, don't worry: It's not dead, just dormant. Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. Your email address will not be published. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. After you plant the plugs, you will notice the grass is spreading. Local shops usually have much better experts on hand to answer any questions you may have. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs. This period will last for well around 2 weeks, and once they start spreading, you can give them an inch of water per week. This is an acceptable spacing amount, but remember that the closer together they are, the faster they will spread on your landscape. If it is dead, this might be due to bugs. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. St. Augustine grass is a popular turf in Florida and other warmer states. Step 1. SodPods can also be used as a cost-effective way to plant a beautiful new lawn. DO NOT use potting soil mixes with heavy organic matter content as filler. Its like laying bricks. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. After 14 to 15 days, your St Augustine grass has begun spreading, and firm roots are now established. 5. St. Augustine grass blades are coarser and broader, about 1/3 of an inch in width. 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. You want to avoid this because soil-covered crowns can rot and die. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. 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. . What should I do before trying to lay more sod? It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Once you have fully decided that you need St. Augustine grass in your backyard or field, here is what to do. 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. St. Augustine plugs can be planted year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates where the grass does not go dormant. Another important thing you must remember while digging holes is that it should have the same depth as your st. Augustine grasss root ball. This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. Augustine ,How to Make St. Augustine Grass Spread Quickly and Grow Thicker ,St. Augustine 3,Types of Sod for Your Lawn - The Home Depot,,St Augustine Grass Seed . In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. When should I plant St Augustine grass? Take a shovel or a plugger tool and make holes the right size to accommodate your St. Augustine grass plugs. 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. (How to make it Thicker Fast), Crabgrass Identification Types and Pictures. Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. Therefore, plugs, sod, and the seed should be planted in late spring or early summer. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. In a certain land subject to us, all kinds of pepper is gathered, and is exchanged for corn and bread, leather and cloth. Keep your lawnmower high approximately 3-3.5 inches tall for St. Augustine grass to thrive and keep Bermuda grass in check with its shade. Water the lawn 24 hours before dethatching. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. If you are replacing a pre-existing lawn, then youll need to cut off the sod and clean out the old plantation properly. You can also buy or rent a grass plugging tool from your local hardware store or online. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Stolons facilitate faster lawn coverage once the plugs are in place. If youre replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and vegetation. 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