\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. 1. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Turn the soil with a garden tiller to a depth of 4 inches. One big drawback is that it does not do well with regular foot traffic, so if you're looking . Harvest grass from an inconspicuous or area where grass is very thick. Call back the company that laid the grass and ask them to rid the bugs and replant the grass. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Absorbs 6X its weight in water. Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? This is a warm season turfgrass and loves heat, so it grows best when high temperatures are between 80- and 100-degrees F. However, it's not quite that easy. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures and peaks in hotter months. If you get frost during the colder months, it may damage your St. Augustine grass. Provide St. Augustine grass with good drainage. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Want to collaborate with us? The closer they are, the faster the bare spots will get filled up. Your ideal month for planting will depend on other factors as well. You can also use digital instruments such as the area calculator tool. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. Give it a year to take hold. Does not contain grass seed. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. 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. If you only have a few weeds here and there, you can hand-pull them, but be sure to get the entire root system. Grass/sod can appear dead but come back. This helps the grass settle into the ground, but avoid using too much water. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? Be sure not to water the area to the point where water is standing or pooling in the holes. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. Check and fix any drainage problems and slope your lawn away from the house or garage and fill low areas to avoid cases of standing water in your yard. Like all new sod, St. Augustine needs to be water multiple times a day for the first couple of weeks. Water as needed, especially during hot, dry spells. This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. World rights reserved. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. We may earn compensation from some providers below. 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. 5 Water the lawn daily for 3 weeks. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Ensure there are no pockets left around the plug as this will cause roots to dry out. You can also determine the best time by looking at the forecast. For an extra boost, add 1 teaspoon of organic fertilizer before planting. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. 2. 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. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? St. Augustine grass not only tolerates warm temperatures but thrives in the hot sunny season. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. Meet Mattias Jonsson, the head of content at RainSaucers. So, the best time to grow it would be summer and spring. % of people told us that this article helped them. Water your lawn adequately. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. You need some tough, weather-tolerant St. Augustine grass. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. Share it with your fellow lawn owners and help them out as well. It's best to plant it during warm weather. This will help you plan how many holes you 'll need to dig and decide whether you 'll need more grass plugs. When should I plant St Augustine grass? 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). Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to new plugs while they establish. Otherwise, they will pop back up while your plugs are establishing themselves. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Use a garden trowell to dig holes. Your new lawn needs thorough watering in week 1 and week 2. St. Augustine is a broad bladed, medium green colored grass. The first step is to examine and calculate the area of the space needing plugs. 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. Remember that using plugs as a method to grow st. Augustine grass is only a viable option when sod isnt a practical choice or when small areas need to be covered. Planting St. Augustine Grass Using PlugsAn easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! After that, cover the roots only and leave the crowns above ground. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. 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. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. If you want to form this pattern, you must flag the spots diagonally so that each group of 4 plugs will make a diamond. 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. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. This part is crucial because when plugs are planted too deep in the soil, they become vulnerable to fungi and insects. Prepare the area to transplant the St. Augustine grass by removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the bare soil. In a certain land subject to us, all kinds of pepper is gathered, and is exchanged for corn and bread, leather and cloth. 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. It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. If you use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. The Questions People Ask Most About Lawn Fertilizing. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, long sleeves, and a facemask. Learn how to plant St. Augustine grass plugs the right way with our expert techniques. Aerate and dethatch your lawn as needed to foster better air circulation. By using our site, you agree to our. It is expensive to establish St. Augustine because it can only be planted with sprigs, plugs, and sod. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. ft. each individual plug measures 3in by 3in Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. St. Augustinegrass is the most widely planted type of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass Imidacloprid 2F Select T/I is a highly effective insect control product and termiticide that offers prevention and control over a wide array of common lawn and garden insects. In areas where the grass will go dormant, plant your plugs after the last frost of the winter. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. Fertilizing St Augustine Grass. If the number of weeds is visibly low, you can also hand-pull them. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Fill the holes created with soil or sand. Do this by laying the squares so the ends dont line up with one another. I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. We deliver the best quality grass in Houston, and we do it at a competitive price too. apart in a prepared lawn. Be sure your area is appropriate for sod as well. With proper soil preparation, adequate timing, and care, the rooted pieces of sod will gradually spread and fill every space within them, offering a dense beautiful carpet. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. In the fourth week, water 1-2 times every other day. Maintaining Your New St. Augustine Grass LawnOnce your new St. Augustine grass lawn starts to fill in and the grass blades reach a mowable height, cut the grass with the mower set to one of the highest settings (3-4 inches). 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. Step 1: Preparing the Soil for St Augustine Grass. An alternative to purchasing prepared St. Augustine plugs are to make your own. After the holes have been dug, thoroughly water the area. Step 2. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 F. 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. Space the grass plugs about 6 inches (15 cm) apart. For the best results, apply 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet (this should be spread over several applications). Soil pH amendment may also be done before the digging of the holes is done. When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. 1. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. To reduce noticeable lawn damage, increase the space between harvested plugs. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. Laying sod is a breeze, and the result is an instant lawn, so you will pay the most for that option. Watering the dead sod more could help. When to Plant St. Augustine GrassSt. You can decrease the amount of water to once a week when the plugs start spreading. Depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. 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. Keep the newly planted St Augustine grass plugs moist for two weeks; . Thoroughly water the area before planting. If your holes end up being too deep, you can add a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the extra space. Make. Before going ahead with this important task, it is recommended to water the dug-in holes deeply and saturate the field. Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. You wont need to wait for years to see your lawn turn lush green. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. If the st. augustine grass plug doesnt seem at level with the surrounding ground, it means that the hole may be extra deep. LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. Using plugs is the cheapest way to grow an st. augustine lawn, and heres how you can do it. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. 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. When will the best results occur? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then thoroughly water the area to soften the soil for easier hole digging and planting of the plugs. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. St. Augustine grass thrives in sandy soils as long as you are in warmer climates. The abovementioned method is an extremely easy way to set up your st. Augustine lawn. 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. St. Augustine turf is naturally dormant in the winter, so it is essential to lay the sod no later than mid-summer for proper soil adhesion and root growth. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. On average, it can take about six to twelve months to fill the space completely. Keep pets and other people away until you are finished. The most common use of St. Augustine grass is in lawns and landscapes because it is drought tolerant and shade tolerant. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Tips for Success, 1) Decide How Far Apart to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, 3) Prep the Soil for Planting the St. Augustine Plugs, 4) Drill or Dig the Holes for Your St. Augustine Grass Plugs. Give each grass plug about 6 inches (15 cm) of space to prevent the plugs ' root systems from overcrowding each other. You can use a tape measure but take driveways, sidewalks, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping elements of your entire lawn into consideration. They thrive in wet, humid environments. Can be used on landscape ornamentals . It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. Our grass comes from our family farm near Bay City, and we've been in the grass business there since 1981. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. It will become green again when warm weather returns. Proper watering will encourage the plugs to form a deeper root system and grow up more established. Water the grass plugs Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You will have to keep up with the required irrigation and fertilization. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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