\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. The next step would be to water the plugs and ensure the field is well-irrigated properly. Suppose you have followed the above-listed method for how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/st-augustine-general-notes/, http://www.star-telegram.com/living/home-garden/neil-sperry/article155731284.html, http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/st-augustine-planting-sod/, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/how-to-lay-sod, http://publications.tamu.edu/TURF_LANDSCAPE/PUB_turf_Maintaining%20St.%20Augustine%20Grass%20Lawns.pdf, https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/publications/staug.html. Depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. Water daily or as needed until the plugs are firmly rooted and starting to spread. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Known for its exceptional heat tolerance, St. Augustine grass is a favorite in warm-weather areas. 5 Water the lawn daily for 3 weeks. Turn the soil with a garden tiller to a depth of 4 inches. 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. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Water the grass plugs Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Grass/sod can appear dead but come back. Though sod is the most perfect option for establishing a new lawn from scratch, its very costly as well. Brown patch is a fungal disease that can form circular patches of brown grass. St. Augustine plugs needs at least 90 days before the first frost. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. When st. Augustine grass will not receive its sufficient water supply, it will suffer from drought issues, and your responsibilities will increase. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. 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. This product is powered by Imidacloprid and guarantees both foliar and systemic insect control. It is important to continue to water the newly planted St. Augustine plugs for the next two weeks. Be sure to thoroughly wet without causing water to pool. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. It will become green again when warm weather returns. St. Augustine grass plugs are a great way to fill in bare and dead spots. Does not contain grass seed. Give each grass plug about 6 inches (15 cm) of space to prevent the plugs ' root systems from overcrowding each other. An alternative to purchasing prepared St. Augustine plugs are to make your own. St. Augustine grass does better in a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. In the fourth week, water 1-2 times every other day. Once planted, St. Augustine grass plugs will spread. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Step 1: Preparing the Soil for St Augustine Grass. The heat will evaporate most of the water and leave little behind for the grass. After that, you need to maintain one inch of water every week. Measure the lawn or the area you want to plant the grass plugs in before purchasing them. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. Apply the fertilizer to the soil when you are ready to plant your St. Augustine grass plugs and then again after planting. Water your lawn adequately. St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (32-Count) Natural, Affordable Lawn Improvement 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. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. It forms a dense mat over the ground that helps to suppress the growth of weeds. You have to put them together. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. Prepare the planting area 3. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. You can find St. Augustine plugs in your local home and garden store. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. 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. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. . [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. When should I plant St Augustine grass? Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. 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 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. It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. Once you have planned the grid pattern, its time to start digging. Measure the area 2. Be sure your area is appropriate for sod as well. If a disease is identified, you can apply St. Augustine Grass fungicide. Harvest grass from an inconspicuous or area where grass is very thick. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 43,780 times. Existing vegetation must be dead. St. Augustine grass is common from tropical areas up to the southern coastline of the U.S.A. Most St. Augustine seed is naturally sterile. During the summer, maintain a fertilizing schedule such that you feed it every 6 to 8 weeks. A St. Augustine grass lawn can live for three to five years with regular maintenance, including watering, mowing, fertilizer, and aeration. It can be pretty pricey. 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. This period will last for well around 2 weeks, and once they start spreading, you can give them an inch of water per week. Plugs are suitable for tiny areas or when the homeowner isn't in a hurry to create a lawn. Planting will be easier and have better success if the hole is larger than the plug. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. So, the best time to grow it would be summer and spring. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. You can use a mower at its highest setting (3-4) inches to cut this grass. Plugs can also be made from existing grass in your yard. When will the best results occur? Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. Since St. Augustine grass spreads so vigorously via its creeping stolons, it is easy to establish it from sod. To grow St. Augustine grass, you use stolons- a horizontal growth stem - which travels just above the ground surface. . Rake all the debris from the area and rototill the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. St. Augustine does well in the warm Tampa climate and is easy to plant as either sod or plugs. Step 2. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? You may start lowering the cutting height slowly by slowly every time you mow. If the st. augustine grass plug doesnt seem at level with the surrounding ground, it means that the hole may be extra deep. Houston Grass South is located just a few miles east of Sienna Plantation in Arcola, TX. After you plant the plugs, you will notice the grass is spreading. Weeds will compete with your grass for nutrients. You do not have to remove the old plant matter. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Plant plugs as soon after purchase as possible. This part is crucial because when plugs are planted too deep in the soil, they become vulnerable to fungi and insects. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. When planted 18 in. Make a sketch map of the area on the paper and include every dimension. Let it stay there. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. The only requirement is to plant the plugs correctly, water them adequately, and provide proper lawn maintenance practices that involve mowing, fertilizing, and watering. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. If you see any brown spots or mildew beginning to form, contact your local extension agency for treatment options. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. They are mostly used in gulf states and Florida lawns, st. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a grass species famous for its tolerance to heat and humidity. Weve said earlier that its an excellent choice to start from scratch. When mowing St. Augustine for dethatching, cut the grass at a low blade height of 2-inches. St. Augustine will take root and spread faster in the right soil conditions. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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