\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The average cost of a plug of a quality cultivar of buffalo grass is $1. 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. We may earn compensation from some providers below. You can learn more about this here. By doing so, you are giving your grasses sufficient time to get prepared for the upcoming extreme weather. Grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, but the plugs should be placed equidistantly in all cases. Grass plugs are turf plants that are grown in trays. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. 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. This product is powered by Imidacloprid and guarantees both foliar and systemic insect control. You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. Are you a master of DIY projects. After 14 to 15 days, your St Augustine grass has begun spreading, and firm roots are now established. Clear the site of weeds, stones, and debris. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. Existing vegetation must be dead. After the holes have been dug, thoroughly water the area. 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. Determine the exact dimensions of the area youll be planting, to ensure you purchase enough St. Augustine grass plugs. Helps repair St. Augustinegrass 60% faster* *Results 15 days after application vs. untreated control. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Fill the holes created with soil or sand. We hope that this step-by-step guide helped you understand how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. Design Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV. Avoid stepping on sod you have already laid. The plug method is a compromise in each respect. On average, it can take about six to twelve months to fill the space completely. After digging the holes, saturate the area by watering thoroughly but dont completely fill the holes with water. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. The landscaping supplier should look at the sketch map and measurements to advise you on the number of plugs you need for that specific area. Water the lawn 24 hours before dethatching. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. 2. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. Plant the Plugs or Sod Place the St. Augustine grass plugs inside the holes in the lawn's soil. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) 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 grass thrives in sandy soils as long as you are in warmer climates. It is a resource that generates square footage measurements after you put your address in it and draw an overlay of the desired area. Here's how to bring back dead St. Augustine grass and make it grow green again: 1. St. Augustine grass requires both high phosphorus and high nitrogen fertilizer to ensure the best rapid growth, optimal thickness, and strong color. The water should never linger on the soil or run off the grass. When to Plant St. Augustine GrassSt. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. 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. 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. Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. When should I plant St Augustine grass? 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. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. Call back the company that laid the grass and ask them to rid the bugs and replant the grass. If you're planning on establishing a St. Augustine lawn, but have had issues with Bermuda . 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. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. If there is any thatch (built-up dead tissue) or plant residue on the surface, youll need to remove it too. ,How Do You Revive St. Augustine Grass? This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. Lawn Tips, Staff's Picks. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Continue watering until the EZ Patch is completely saturated and no more water is being absorbed which may take several minutes. When talking about St. Augustine grass plugs, a relevant question comes out, where to find grass plugs? As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). This article answers: how to plant st augustine grass plugs. Nitrogen aids deep root development, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every 6-8 weeks. There are a few green twigs coming back to life but I think it's dead. Plan the pattern and start digging 4. You might need to adjust this in case of rainfall. 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 can also determine the best time by looking at the forecast. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. With a little maintenance, the sod may soon grow into a luxurious St. Augustine lawn. St. Augustine grass is a spreading, warm-season grass for lawns, especially in warm climates. Firstly, no weeds. Local shops usually have much better experts on hand to answer any questions you may have. St. Augustine grass is susceptible toinfestations of chinch bugs. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. However, grass plugs will take almost a year to grow in your lawn fully. The grass grows fast enough to bridge the gaps during the first year. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. Mowing This grass can tolerate humidity, heat, and even salt, which makes it not only suitable for warm states but subtropical and coastal areas. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. St. Augustine sod or plugs . wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass perform best in the southern regions, or warmer parts of the United States. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. Exercise caution the first time you mow to avoid pulling up the sod. Last Updated: February 13, 2023 Many home improvement stores have models available you can take home for a day. After two weeks, continue watering the area with 1 of water per week. Plugs are suitable for tiny areas or when the homeowner isn't in a hurry to create a lawn. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. References. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. 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. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. 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 is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. The first step is to clear the area where you want to plant the plugs. Each hole should be dug slightly larger than, but the same depth as, the plug's root ball. Planting St. Augustine Grass Through Plugs. It spreads via stolons. You do not have to remove the old plant matter. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. Of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant. Once cultivated, St. Augustine grass propagates on its own through stolons, plugs, and sod. St Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in sun and warmer temperatures found in the southern part of the United States. When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. It's best to plant it during warm weather. 2. Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. Annually de-thatch your St. Augustine. Plugs quickly establish and start spreading, which is why they are used to repair damaged areas or fill in the bare spots on your lawn. The holes themselves should be spaced 12 inches apart (so holes across the center of each diamond will be 15 inches apart). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Planting the plugs too deep could cause the crowns to rot. You might be interested: Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. St. Augustine grass is a popular turf in Florida and other warmer states. Yard Butler Sod Plugger turf cutter and grass plug tool for zoysia, St. Augustine, fescue, or centipede grass transplanting & repair - ISP-33 1,515 $4999 FREE delivery Feb 8 - 10 Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs - 2 Trays 1 $4095 $27.77 delivery Feb 9 - 13 This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. Rather you want to stagger the plugs in a diamond shaped pattern. The abovementioned method is an extremely easy way to set up your st. Augustine lawn. 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. Whether starting a new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for both. In contrast, Bermuda grass is less than 1/10 inch wide and more soft and delicate in texture. Additionally, St. Augustine grass should be planted at least 90 days before your region's first estimated fall frost. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 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. If you are replacing a pre-existing lawn, then youll need to cut off the sod and clean out the old plantation properly. Can be used on landscape ornamentals . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Let nature take care of it for you. It also has a high tolerance for salt water, which makes it perfect for coastal areas. St. Augustine grass plugs grow quite fast. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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