\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. When talking about St. Augustine grass plugs, a relevant question comes out, where to find grass plugs? Turn the soil with a garden tiller to a depth of 4 inches. You can use a diagonal pattern method so that a diamond pattern forms with each group when you create a group of 4 holes. This tool makes perfectly-plug-sized holes with a lot less work on your part. The closer they are, the faster the bare spots will get filled up. We're on FM 521 (McKeever Road), just off Highway 6. 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. Watering a lawn gets expensive and may be regulated in your area. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. 2. Plant a section of sod. By this time in the southeast, temperatures are well above 80. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. 2. And if your lawn has bare or bald spots, its still a great option to fix them. When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. Buy fresh plugs and keep them moist. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. Overview. Otherwise, they will pop back up while your plugs are establishing themselves. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. To reduce noticeable lawn damage, increase the space between harvested plugs. 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. 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. St. Augustine grass is an aggressive grower and can compete with weeds. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Grid patterns may range from diamond to checkerboard patterns, but the plugs should be placed equidistantly in all cases. A St. Augustine grass lawn can live for three to five years with regular maintenance, including watering, mowing, fertilizer, and aeration. To grow St. Augustine grass, you use stolons- a horizontal growth stem - which travels just above the ground surface. Press one plug firmly into each hole, making sure each is level with surrounding ground. This grass can tolerate humidity, heat, and even salt, which makes it not only suitable for warm states but subtropical and coastal areas. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. 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. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. St. Augustine does well in the warm Tampa climate and is easy to plant as either sod or plugs. 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. Known for its exceptional heat tolerance, St. Augustine grass is a favorite in warm-weather areas. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. The water should never linger on the soil or run off the grass. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine grass prefers full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Firstly, no weeds. Plugs should be placed 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Theyll begin spreading on their own. Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. Maintain 12 inches of spacing between the holes. After the holes have been dug, thoroughly water the area. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these plugs. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We deliver grass sod all over the Houston area or you can pick up your fresh sod at our office. This article has been viewed 43,780 times. Houston Grass South is located just a few miles east of Sienna Plantation in Arcola, TX. But, for best results, grow St. Augustine grass in full sun. Water your lawn when the leaf blades begin to fold and turn bluish-green in color. Afterward, water weekly unless your lawn is receiving generous rainfall. As long as you are in at least zone 7, don't worry: It's not dead, just dormant. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). apart in a prepared lawn. Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. Dethatch your lawn whenever you detect substantial thatch build-up. 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. [8] The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. 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. If the soil is hard, break it down using a tiller. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. St. Augustine is a broad bladed, medium green colored grass. This step is performed at the beginning to determine how many square feet need to be covered and how many plugs are required. It spreads via stolons. St. Augustine Palmetto is heat and shade tolerant. Afterward, water as needed depending on your climate. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. They thrive in wet, humid environments. I had a contractor lay down the sod. Plugs are the ideal method of planting St Augustine grass. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. Watering Guide. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Tips to help you make St. Augustine Grass spread faster Just follow these steps: The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. 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 do not have to remove the old plant matter. The plug method is a compromise in each respect. 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. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. It is important to continue to water the newly planted St. Augustine plugs for the next two weeks. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Ensure that you cover the roots, but not the crown of the plug. You can use a mower at its highest setting (3-4) inches to cut this grass. Plant these plugs at least 90 days before the first frost is predicted. It is a resource that generates square footage measurements after you put your address in it and draw an overlay of the desired area.