The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. By doing so, your st. Augustine will have immediate moisture and establish deep roots more quickly. 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. Planting the plugs too deep could cause the crowns to rot. Water the soil until it is saturated. St Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives in sun and warmer temperatures found in the southern part of the United States. Have valuable content in the lawn, garden, and pest niche to share? Save money by renting a rototiller. Nutrients and moisture within the soil. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. St. Augustine grass. 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. (You can also purchase St. Augustine sod, but it can be expensive.). When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. When should I plant St Augustine grass? Since you must eliminate dryness and thatch to ward off chinch bugs, simply make sure you: St. Augustine grass can be attacked by downy mildew disease. The optimum height for mowing St Augustine grass is 3.5 to 4 inches. The quicker the grass spread, the closer you will be to a thick, lush lawn. Step 1. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 grass requires both high phosphorus and high nitrogen fertilizer to ensure the best rapid growth, optimal thickness, and strong color. Here grows the plant Assidos, which, when worn by any one, protects him from the evil spirit, forcing it to state its business and name; consequently the foul spirits keep out of the way there. References. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbors, you can do it 10x less than using sod. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. Maintaining these plugs is extremely significant if you want a well-established lawn. Depending on the spacing, 18 plugs covers around 32 square feet. Plugs of St. Augustine grass, which are rooted fragments of sod, eventually fill up the spaces between them to create a lush, lovely lawn. Its like laying bricks. Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. St. Augustine grass plugs are 2-3 clumps of grass and roots. Then thoroughly water the area to soften the soil for easier hole digging and planting of the plugs. Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently. You can also buy or rent a grass plugging tool from your local hardware store or online. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? Its blue-green blades form a dense turf that establishes quickly and easily, and can tolerate salt, making it an excellent choice for coastal yards. St. Augustine grass handles heat and humidity well, which is why it is popular in regions such as the American Southeast. 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. Plant Your Grass Plugs Place the plugs into the holes and ensure they're leveled with the ground. Once cultivated, St. Augustine grass propagates on its own through stolons, plugs, and sod. Results may vary. If the holes happen to be deeper than they should be, fill the unwanted space with nutrient-rich soil. This makes plugs a great choice for thin or bare spots in your lawn. Planting will be easier and have better success if the hole is larger than the plug. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When will the best results occur? Sow 1/3 to 1/2 of a pound of the seed per 1,000 square feet. Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn. How to Grow St. Augustine Grass From Seed. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! What now? 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. 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. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. If you dont want to spend some pretty penny on the grass and you are not in a hurry to have a green backyard, grass plugs are the best option for you. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It is expensive to establish St. Augustine because it can only be planted with sprigs, plugs, and sod. Press plug firmly into the hole, filling in all space around the edge of the plug. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. Space each plug 6 to 12 inches apart in the row and add a little starter fertilizer around each plug. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Plugs can also be made from existing grass in your yard. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. If the soil is hard, break it down using a tiller. Helps repair St. Augustinegrass 60% faster* *Results 15 days after application vs. untreated control. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, hes dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. You can use a mower at its highest setting (3-4) inches to cut this grass. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? Give each grass plug about 6 inches (15 cm) of space to prevent the plugs ' root systems from overcrowding each other. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. You can also use a hoe or shovel by inserting the blade vertically to cut out the desired piece. Once the planting holes are ready, you may apply lawn starter fertilizer in each hole depending on the recommendations made by your soil extension agent. Grass plugs are little pieces of live turf grass that come complete with roots, soil, and are ready to plant. World rights reserved. You can look for St. Augustine grass plugs at your local garden stores. 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. Here's how to bring back dead St. Augustine grass and make it grow green again: 1. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. For best results, keep its soil evenly moist. 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. This tool makes perfectly-plug-sized holes with a lot less work on your part. St. Augustine plugs can be planted year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates where the grass does not go dormant. St. Augustine grass plugs are a great way to fill in bare and dead spots. SodPods can also be used as a cost-effective way to plant a beautiful new lawn. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. 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. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. It can be pretty pricey. You will have to keep up with the required irrigation and fertilization. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. Dig out and dispose of any diseased patches of sod as soon as you find them. But the depth will be the same as the root ball of the plugs. Generally speaking, you will need to wait roughly 7 to 14 days to observe the grass plugs spreading. And if your lawn has bare or bald spots, its still a great option to fix them.
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