how to plant st augustine grass plugshow to plant st augustine grass plugs

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. St. Augustine grass thrives in sandy soils as long as you are in warmer climates. Annually de-thatch your St. Augustine. 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV. You can also slice sod to fit it around tough areas like planting beds, curbs, and other curves. 6:06 pm Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. The first step is to clear the area where you want to plant the plugs. 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. It will become green again when warm weather returns. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. How to Grow St. Augustine Grass From Seed. For best results, keep its soil evenly moist. After that, cover the roots only and leave the crowns above ground. Whether starting a new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for both. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Overview. Keep pets and other people away until you are finished. Get a soil test and adjust the pH if necessary. Maintain 12 inches of spacing between the holes. RainSaucers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, 2023 RainSaucers - Bringing Rain to Your Garden, What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants, How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Summary, How Long to Water Overseeded Lawn? 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. 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. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. You might be interested: She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. If you're planning on establishing a St. Augustine lawn, but have had issues with Bermuda . St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass perform best in the southern regions, or warmer parts of the United States. After considering all these requirements, it is safe to say that the best time to plant st. augustine grass plugs will be spring (late spring, to be particular) and summer (early summer). Before any mowing, make sure that the St Augustine grass plugs or sod are properly rooted and are growing robustly. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. If you follow it step-by-step, youre unlikely to make a mistake. Plan the pattern and start digging 4. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. As long as you are in at least zone 7, don't worry: It's not dead, just dormant. Step 1: Preparing the Soil for St Augustine Grass. Benefits of plugs include the fact that you can plant one and within a matter of months they will spread and fill in the area . How to Get Rid of Them in Your Yard, Can Grass Grow in Sand? Water daily or as needed until the plugs are firmly rooted and starting to spread. Prevention is the best way to control chinch bugs. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. 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. Remove any weeds from the soil. Plant a section of sod. The best way to bring it back is to start watering it about 3 times a week. Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass plugs the right way with our expert techniques. How far apart should you plant St Augustine plugs? Watering a lawn gets expensive and may be regulated in your area. 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. St. Augustine grass will only stay green all year if the soil temperature remains 60 F or warmer. How you feed, mow and water your lawn can help it resist fungal diseases like dollar spot and brown spot. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Buy fresh plugs and keep them moist. 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. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. You can decrease the amount of water to once a week when the plugs start spreading. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. It killed the sod; now I have dead brown grass. Weeds will compete with your grass for nutrients. It does require regular watering to remain healthy and depending on drought conditions could potentially need additional irrigation. However, late spring has moderately warm weather between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. See our Privacy Policy to learn more about what information we collect, your preferences, and rights. Save money by renting a rototiller. 2. Continue watering until the EZ Patch is completely saturated and no more water is being absorbed which may take several minutes. 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. There are a number of different types of St. Augustine grass. Pull out the entire root system; otherwise, theyll pop right back. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these plugs. Using plugs is the cheapest way to grow an st. augustine lawn, and heres how you can do it. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. It prefers warmer weather and grows best when temperatures are at least 75-degrees Fahrenheit. St. Augustine responds well to potassium fertilizers, especially in late summer and early Fall, but phosphorus should only be applied if there is a deficiency. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the roots of the grass and can cause yellowing or browning of the grass. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. Call back the company that laid the grass and ask them to rid the bugs and replant the grass. Space the grass plugs about 6 inches (15 cm) apart. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. We hope that this step-by-step guide helped you understand how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. St. Augustine Grass VS Zoysia: Who Will Win The Battle For Your Lawn. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. Depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Plugs are small, like 2 to 3 inches in general. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. St. Augustine grass. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. Step 2. St. Augustine grass blades are coarser and broader, about 1/3 of an inch in width. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. In the fifth week onward, your lawn should go 2 to 3 days between watering unless there is extreme drought. Kill all the weeds or pre-existing lawn grass by spraying a non-selective herbicide. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. However, sods may not be suitable for everyone because they are costly. However, the hole should be slightly larger. Nitrogen aids deep root development, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every 6-8 weeks. These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and have grown fruits, vegetables, and trees since childhood. If your holes end up being too deep, you can add a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the extra space. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. It will make ideal-sized holes for the 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. It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. If you want to establish a St. Augustine turf and you are tight on budget, you need to think again. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. We research, test, & and review the best products. 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. Step 1. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The time taken ensures your grass plugs will not die off. Afterward, water weekly unless your lawn is receiving generous rainfall. You want to avoid this because soil-covered crowns can rot and die. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants The roots and turf are both susceptible to pests and diseases. (How to make it Thicker Fast), Crabgrass Identification Types and Pictures. Once they start spreading, you will notice your lawn is getting greener day by day. 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 Care For St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is a low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. Planting St Augustine Grass Plugs is simple. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. Directions. 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. Plant these plugs at least 90 days before the first frost is predicted. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during a growing season for a hardy and disease-resistant St. Augustine lawn. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) 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. Water the new plugs just as you water new sod. You might need to adjust this in case of rainfall. Existing vegetation must be dead. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, but the plugs should be placed equidistantly in all cases. St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (32-Count) Natural, Affordable Lawn Improvement Adjust accordingly as needed for your area. Next, apply a non-selective herbicide 2 weeks before planting to kill weeds; make sure you use a product that doesnt leave a residual that would harm the newly planted St. Augustine grass. The southern law chinch bug has probably been feeding on the stems, this causes the straw colour and some patches to appear. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. Take plugs from the sod with the ProPlugger every 3 apart. Watering Guide. This grass can tolerate humidity, heat, and even salt, which makes it not only suitable for warm states but subtropical and coastal areas. Dig a 3" deep hole for each plug (12-16 apart). Dethatch your lawn whenever you detect substantial thatch build-up. In contrast, Bermuda grass is less than 1/10 inch wide and more soft and delicate in texture. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Therefore, plugs, sod, and the seed should be planted in late spring or early summer. And if your lawn has bare or bald spots, its still a great option to fix them. . Be sure to thoroughly wet without causing water to pool. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. Measure the area 2. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. Maintaining these plugs is extremely significant if you want a well-established lawn. 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. Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. Fertilizer Pick All Rights Reserved 2023 | Owned and operated by Scalebloom, Pick the Ideal Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass, The Best Lawn Fertilizer for Summer (Reviews for 2023), 6 Best Fertilizers for Bermuda Grass in 2023 for Thick Grass, 8 Best Fungicide for St Augustine Grass Reviews in 2023. Dig out and dispose of any diseased patches of sod as soon as you find them. Established roots mean less water and maximum success. It grows best in tropical climates. If there is any thatch (built-up dead tissue) or plant residue on the surface, youll need to remove it too. Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. Water your lawn adequately. Absorbs 6X its weight in water. 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).