\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. Weeds will compete with your grass for nutrients. You can use a mower at its highest setting (3-4) inches to cut this grass. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. 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. You can remove weeds and existing grass using all-vegetation herbicide and then wait two weeks. 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. Therefore, plugs, sod, and the seed should be planted in late spring or early summer. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. Do you live in a warm state with extreme heat no grass will tolerate? After that, cover the roots only and leave the crowns above ground. 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. 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. The heat will evaporate most of the water and leave little behind for the grass. Maintain 12 inches of spacing between the holes. Can I put St. Augustine grass over my existing grass? Fill in the holes with compost or a compost/soil mix. Measure the area 2. Space each plug 6 to 12 inches apart in the row and add a little starter fertilizer around each plug. 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. Water them deeply 6. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Turn the soil with a garden tiller to a depth of 4 inches. Plugs of St. Augustine grass, which are rooted fragments of sod, eventually fill up the spaces between them to create a lush, lovely lawn. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. Its like laying bricks. A tray of 18 plugs will cover approximately 32 square feet. Suppose you have followed the above-listed method for how to plant st. augustine grass plugs. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! Planting the plugs incorrectly can lead to a loss of resources. What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants Because in these seasons, the average temperature remains 80 to 100 Fahrenheit which is ideal for growing St. Augustine grass. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. Let nature take care of it for you. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. Firstly, no weeds. 2. Be sure to thoroughly wet without causing water to pool. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. Press plug firmly into the hole, filling in all space around the edge of the plug. 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). Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. Though sod is the most perfect option for establishing a new lawn from scratch, its very costly as well. If you want to form this pattern, you must flag the spots diagonally so that each group of 4 plugs will make a diamond. 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 can decrease the amount of water to once a week when the plugs start spreading. Plan the desired pattern to plant the grass plugs. With a little care and patience, plugs will easily renovate your yard. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. 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. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. Any all-purpose grass fertilizer will be sufficient, but be careful to follow the application instructions on the package. Call back the company that laid the grass and ask them to rid the bugs and replant the grass. Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Next, start digging the holes according to the plan. Make your own plugs by cutting pieces of sod into desired size with a shovel or garden shears. These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Spacing multiple feet between holes and in a checkerboard pattern will help your yard heal quicker. A goodgarden loamworks well. When st. Augustine grass will not receive its sufficient water supply, it will suffer from drought issues, and your responsibilities will increase. Planting, Care, Similar Grasses, and Disadvantages. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. Looking for some answers when it comes to feeding your lawn? This may vary from place to place. Within a short time, you will notice the St. Augustine grass thriving on your lawn. 2. This product is powered by Imidacloprid and guarantees both foliar and systemic insect control. Plant the Plugs or Sod Place the St. Augustine grass plugs inside the holes in the lawn's soil. What now? Once you see the grass growing normally, you can mow to a height of not less than 3.5inches (8.89 cm), ensuring that your mower has a sharp blade. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to new plugs while they establish. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is sometimes called "buffalo grass," although a different plant (Bouteloua dactyloides) is what people usually mean when they refer to the latter. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. Creating plugs from pieces of sod will help stretch the coverage area. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. ,How Do You Revive St. Augustine Grass? 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. 4 Ways to Bring it Back ,Planting Bermuda Grass Plugs ,How to Fix a Patchy Lawn - Floralawn,Bethel Farms Natural St. Augustine Sod Plug,St. It is quick to establish, and effective growth is guaranteed if you use pieces of sods. Once they start spreading, you will notice your lawn is getting greener day by day. Mowing This article has been viewed 43,780 times. Plant St. Augustine grass plugs or sod in full sun, at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost, to give the grass plenty of time to establish. After the holes have been dug, thoroughly water the area. Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. 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