\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your 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. Its like laying bricks. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. ft. once established. In the fifth week onward, your lawn should go 2 to 3 days between watering unless there is extreme drought. St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 2 to 3 inches at all times. Established roots mean less water and maximum success. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Adjust accordingly as needed for your area. 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? You need some tough, weather-tolerant St. Augustine grass. When talking about St. Augustine grass plugs, a relevant question comes out, where to find grass plugs? Space each plug 6 to 12 inches apart in the row and add a little starter fertilizer around each plug. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. So, unless you live in the subtropical regions of Florida and California, St. Augustine grass will turn brown in winter. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? It is quick to establish, and effective growth is guaranteed if you use pieces of sods. St. Augustine grass is an aggressive grower and can compete with weeds. I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. 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. Fill in the holes with compost or a compost/soil mix. The first step is to examine and calculate the area of the space needing plugs. However, you can plant . Water the lawn 24 hours before dethatching. Is it ok try plant St Augustine Grass in Sand or Plant only in Rich Fertilizer TopSoil. Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. The most common use of St. Augustine grass is in lawns and landscapes because it is drought tolerant and shade tolerant. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. What now? Absorbs 6X its weight in water. Plugs are small, like 2 to 3 inches in general. Grass plugs are little pieces of live turf grass that come complete with roots, soil, and are ready to plant. on center, SodPods covers 72 sq. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine will take root and spread faster in the right soil conditions. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. St. Augustine grass requires both high phosphorus and high nitrogen fertilizer to ensure the best rapid growth, optimal thickness, and strong color. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. Choose the Right Spreader for Your LawnHaving the right spreader goes a long way in your lawn care routine. . After you have measured the area that you want to be covered by st. Augustine grass, the next step would be to prepare it and ensure its ready for the plugs. St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in the south. St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular lawn grasses in Florida and the Gulf states, thanks to its tolerance of heat and humidity. A goodgarden loamworks well. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. Make sure that the crown of the plug isnt covered in soil. 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. Rake all the debris from the area and rototill the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. 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. Plant these plugs at least 90 days before the first frost is predicted. Give each grass plug about 6 inches (15 cm) of space to prevent the plugs ' root systems from overcrowding each other. Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. Your email address will not be published. St. Augustine grass not only tolerates warm temperatures but thrives in the hot sunny season. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. 5. 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). If you want to establish a St. Augustine turf and you are tight on budget, you need to think again. Spacing multiple feet between holes and in a checkerboard pattern will help your yard heal quicker. By this time in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80. They are rooted pieces of grass most suitable for smaller areas where sod isnt practical. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Simply water the plugs sufficiently but not so much that it pools on the surface. At this time, you will have some difficulty pulling up a plug from the soil. It also has a high tolerance for salt water, which makes it perfect for coastal areas. Prepare the planting area 3. Dig a 3" deep hole for each plug (12-16 apart). Now you are ready to plant the St. Augustine sod plugs! Water as needed, especially during hot, dry spells. The optimum height for mowing St Augustine grass is 3.5 to 4 inches. The first step is to clear the area where you want to plant the plugs. One big drawback is that it does not do well with regular foot traffic, so if you're looking . Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. If you want to plant some, wait until the spring or early summer, then spray a glyphosate weedkiller over the planting area to protect the plants from competing grasses. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these plugs. However, sods may not be suitable for everyone because they are costly. Join our mailing list to keep tabs on how to care for your lawn! Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). If you follow it step-by-step, youre unlikely to make a mistake. St. Augustine grass plugs are 2-3 clumps of grass and roots. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. 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. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. You can also determine the best time by looking at the forecast. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. Once you have taken the measurements per square foot, go to your nearest gardening store and buy the plug trays. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in 1. Now the fun begins. This warm-season grass goes dormant in winter. This will help you plan how many holes you 'll need to dig and decide whether you 'll need more grass plugs. Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. Maintaining these plugs is extremely significant if you want a well-established lawn. Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn.