Use the right type of soil. There are two main methods to reduce the cost of establishing a new Saint Augustine grass lawn. Rake the area clean so the new transplant has contact with the soil. You can buy grass plugs from most garden centers or plant nurseries. Attempting to grow a healthy, lush lawn can be a time consuming and expensive endeavor. Like the lawn plugs, Saint Augustine Grass Runners will need to be individually planted into the new lawn area. The downsides of using plugs are also substantial. Place your trays in a sunny area, keep them watered, and wait for your grass to grow. How Do I Store Iris Bulbs Over the Winter? Plant the plugs as soon as possible and keep them moist until they start to grow into the other grass patch. Both methods involve the individual planting of either the plugs or runners at a far reduced rate of coverage than if using roll-on St Augustine grass sod, which then results in a greater cost saving to the lawn owner. If necessary, you can use a weed killer before planting. Remove weeds and stone from the area you will be planting. Saint Augustine grass runners will need to be re-planted quickly after they have been removed from their original soil before the roots dry out and deteriorate. During the following week, you can water two or three times, applying the same half inch. Press the plug down firmly. Purchase fresh grass plugs for your yard. The first is to use Saint Augustine Grass Plugs to establish the lawn, and the second option is to use Saint Augustine Grass Runners taken from another lawn. Sow 10-15 seeds per cell. While waiting to plant your grass plugs, water them daily to keep them moist and healthy. It was a slow process but where the St. Augustine was surrounded by the rye it would take hold and started to grow and spread. Plant sod in spring or summer when the grass is actively growing. St. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. Although you can plant St. Augustine grass at other times, in north Florida avoid cold winter months or hot, dry summer periods. We're out of the heat of Summer, so we won't need to water the new turf as often, and the new sod will be under far less stress than if … One tray of St. Augustine grass plugs, or 18 plugs, will cover 32 square feet of your yard, or one pallet of St. Augustine sod measuring four feet by four feet will cover 450 square feet. Runners can be more difficult and time consuming to plant than plugs as individual trenches will need to be dug into the soil to match the length of each lawn runner, and then filled in when the runner has been planted. Welcome to Saint Augustine Lawn Care. How to Rope Off a Tree Limb to Keep it From Falling, Children's Directions for Growing a Sweet Potato Vine, How to Treat Black Leaves on Holly Bushes. Planted somewhere between 9–12 inches apart, they will continue to spread and fill in over time, creating a solid ground cover of your preferred grass type. Dig the hole deeper and wider than the plug so there is plenty of room for the plug's roots. ft. St. Augustinegrass does require water to stay green during periods of drought, however it doesn't need more water than other grass species to remain green. St. Augustinegrass is the most widely planted type of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color. A grass plug is an individual turf plant that is grown in a tray; their size can vary, but generally an individual plug measures anywhere between 1.5–3 inches in length/width. Use string, a tape measure and stakes to lay out a grid pattern based upon the spacing you determined in Step 2. Since this grass does well in heat and, once established, in drought conditions, it is a... St. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. Plugs are very easy and quick to plant out. Water the plugs thoroughly with a sprinkler. If you intend on planting the sod in a small area, you can turn over the soil with a shovel. When dormant, grass turns brown. Year-round color in frost free climates. Also, I read that the Raleigh strain is the best variety for this area. Prepare the area to transplant the St. Augustine grass by removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the bare soil. Floratam St. Augustine Lawn Plugs - 36 Plugs Plug Shipping Policy: Florida: Orders needs to be placed by 5pm on ... $49.99 36 Count Continue to water on a daily basis until you see signs that the plugs have started to spread. Thanks for visiting, I hope some of these lawn care tips may be of use on your own home lawns. Plant Grass Plugs in the recommended pattern shown in the picture below with plugs placed 12" apart from edge to edge or 15" apart from center to center. After the lawn is established, water as needed. Prep the Area St. Augustinegrass is the most widely planted type of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color. Much like the seedlings for many other small flowering plants or vegetables, the homeowner simply takes the plugs of turf from the tray and plants them into prepared soil. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Planting A Saint Augustine Lawn In Fall. How Long Between Scott's Fertilizer Applications. Rake the area smooth. St. Augustine is a turf grass that is suitable for planting in the warm, humid climate commonly found on the Gulf Coast of the United States. But if we’re keen to save a lot of money, and time is of no consequence, then St Augustine grass plugs and St Augustine grass runners are an excellent choice. When fertilizing St. Augustine grass after putting in plugs, use a starter fertilizer, such as Scotts Turf Builder for new grass. So the checkerboarding is where you skip every other space with the grass and grass plugs are the, basically a four inch piece of the St. Augustine that’s been cut up that you would just basically sprinkle around, and then water, and kinda hope for the best and yes eventually the checker boarding or the plugs are going to spread. Purchase fresh grass plugs for your yard. It is important to avoid any air pockets that will cause the roots to dry out and kill your grass plugs. Plugs can be a slow way to establish a new lawn, and will be slower than if we were using runners to establish the same lawn. For larger areas, use a rototiller to get it done quickly. You can be as precise as you’d like, but the general rule of thumb is … A more common density choice for grass plug planting is between 12 and 18 inches. Installing Sod. Grass plugs are a lot like mini grass-sod squares and should be treated in a similar manner. Easy to install and maintain. Fall is also a great time of year to plant that new St Augustine lawn, and is environmentally friendly too. Measure the area you will be planting. This step is not necessary but if you take the time to do it, you will have a more uniform lawn compared to planting freehand. Set the rototiller to the appropriate depth, then push it … Plugs should be placed 6-12 inches apart in a prepared lawn. 8 December 2015 Categories: , Articles. Cover the seeds with approximately 1/2 inch of soil and water your trays until they are damp, but make sure that there is no standing water. Plugs can also be used to spot plant a lawn infested with St. Augustine Decline. Dig individual holes with … If you haven't done so already, get your FREE 2020 Pre-Emergent Guide at https://thelawncarenut.com/pages/free-lawn-care-guidesPlug Day. Water the area thoroughly again. Broad blade dense turf. Covering many different lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawns. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. Step 5 - Water Your Grass Plugs. This will ensure the new roots are getting the right amount of phosphorus to build a solid root system. How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs. St. Augustinegrass. Plugs have a better chance of survival in extreme weather. Vigorous growth habit. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs and creating a lawn. St. Augustinegrass. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. Wait for the weeds to start dying before beginning your planting. If you’re replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and … Hello. Grow Your Grass On A Budget - Create Your Own St Augustine Grass Plugs. Lower your grass plug into the hole and adjust it so the top stays upright. One tray of St. Augustine grass plugs, or 18 plugs, will cover 32 square feet of your yard, or one pallet of St. Augustine sod measuring four feet by four feet will cover 450 square feet. The more dense the plantings of either plugs or runners, the more quickly the lawn will cover the desired area, so planting more runners or plugs will speed up establishment times. Avoid covering the grass plug's top with soil, as this can increase the risk of diseases and fungal infections. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs and creating a lawn. The down side of using these methods will be that our new St Augustine lawn will take far longer to establish and cover the entire area to be turfed, often taking many months. Saint Augustine grasses will not reproduce with any form of reliability from seed, therefore seeding a new St Augustine lawn is not an option. Plugs may be also be planted 18" apart from edge to edge although the 12" method is recommended. These will be sold in trays of individually separated small Saint Augustine grass plants. Other Topics On Saint Augustine Lawn Care, independent lawn care tips for saint augustine grass lawns, lawn care tips for greener healthier lawns, lawn mowing tips and tricks for all lawns, correct lawn watering for healthier grass, Saint Augustine Grass | Buffalo Grass | Stenotaphrum secundatum, Using St Augustine Weed Sprays For Best Results, Saint Augustine Grass Weed Control Program, Lawns Turning Brown - Reasons and Solutions, Saint Augustine Lawn Mowing Heights In Shade, Dangers Of Mowing Saint Augustine Grass Too Short, Applying Wetting Agents To Saint Augustine Lawns, Best Time Of Year To Plant A New St Augustine Lawn, Can Saint Augustine Grass Be Grown From Seed, Creating An Environmentally Friendly Lawn, Dichondra Repens: A Lawn Substitute For Shade, Fertilization Of St Augustine Grass For Winter, Fertilize Lawns In Fall For Greener Lawns In Spring, Low Cost Ways To Grow a New St Augustine Lawn, Preparing Clay Soil For New St Augustine Lawn, Preparing Sandy Soil For New St Augustine Lawn, Removing All Weeds Before Instaling A New Lawn, Slow Release Saint Augustine Lawn Fertilizers, What Makes St Augustine Grass Soft or Scratchy. Great for high traffic areas. A small site where one man shares his love for and knowledge of Saint Augustine grass lawns. Grass plugs are a lot like mini grass-sod squares and should be treated in a similar manner. Add a 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the top inch of soil. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs and creating a lawn. Protect the plugs while you are planting by keeping them in a shady spot and covered with a damp cloth. Planted from 9–12 inches apart, they will continue to spread and fill in over time, creating a solid ground cover of your preferred grass type. Although most varieties produce sterile seed or seed with a very low germination or sprouting rate, it spreads rapidly from stolons. 36 lawn SOD plugs are intended to be planted spaced 15-in apart, and grow together over time, the coverage of these Grass plugs is 64- sq ft when planted and cared for Specialized growers will grow and sell trays of Saint Augustine grass plugs, and they may not be easy to find in retail stores, research a little online and you will find what you're looking for. They also have a more rapid rate of coverage because grass runners will grow out from every direction from the plug. Plant the plugs as soon as possible and keep them moist until they start to grow into the other grass patch. St. Augustine plugs are planted 6 to 12 inches apart. I would like to start a stand of St. Augustine in my back yard, which gets plenty of sunshine, especially in the morning. For best results plant plugs 12" apart -- or closer -- for quicker coverage. Digging Individual Holes Rake the soil back around the row of plugs so that the top of the plug is flush with ground level. You can buy plugs at a garden supply store or you can create your own plugs from a … I seeded in some Rye grass to hold additional moisture and then next year started again with the St Augustine Palmetto grass. Water daily for 7-10 days or until plugs are firmly rooted. Start by watering several times daily for the first seven to 10 days. St. Augustinegrass does require water to stay green during periods of drought, however it doesn't need more water than other grass species to remain green. [1] X Research source Plant your grass plugs as soon as possible after buying them to help them thrive in their new environment. When to Plant St Augustine St. Augustine sod and plugs establish best under warm conditions (80º-100º F) so care should be taken not to plant in late fall. Plant Grass Plugsin the recommended pattern shown in the picture below with plugs placed 12" apart from edge to edge or 15" apart from center to center. Fill the rest of the hole with soil, covering the entire root ball to prevent it from drying out later on. [1] X Research source Plant your grass plugs as soon as possible after buying them to help them thrive in their new environment. You can buy plugs at a garden supply store or you can create your own plugs from a … Before planting St. Augustine grass on your lawn, you may want to choose … How to Grow Peppers From the Seeds Inside of the Pepper, How to Grow Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora), How to Stop Bugs From Eating Pepper Plants, How to Identify Wild Mushrooms in Pennsylvania, How to Care for a Bamboo Plant With a Yellow Stem, The Temperature That Grass Starts to Grow After Winter. Plan on preparing your lawn and laying sod at least 90 days before you expect the first bout of frost in your area. Buy enough plugs to cover the area. What is a grass plug? Discuss the correct spacing for your area with the garden store staff. This new growth spreads along the top of the ground, filling in the area between the plugs and creating a lawn. Do not plant during cold winters or hot summers. So the checkerboarding is where you skip every other space with the grass and grass plugs are the, basically a four inch piece of the St. Augustine that’s been cut up that you would just basically sprinkle around, and then water, and kinda hope for the best and yes eventually the checker boarding or the plugs are going to spread. Since this grass does well in heat and, once established, in drought conditions, it is a popular choice in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and the states along the Gulf of Mexico. But the compromise comes in the form of having to wait much longer for a new Saint Augustine lawn to become fully established. Plant these plugs about two … First, the plants can take a long time to fill in, sometimes more than a year (planting very densely can save you some time) so you have to wait a while before you have a full lawn. Till the ground between 4 and 6 inches (10 and 15 cm) deep. Well, planting plugs is a lot of work, period but so is laying sod. Runners can be more difficult and time consuming to plant than plugs as individual trenches will need to be dug into the soil to match the length of each lawn runner, and then filled in when the runner has been planted. Plant St. Augustine plugs or sod in late spring as temperatures warm and up until late summer (90 … While the lawn fills in, you have to keep the weeds out between the spaces, which can be a lot of work. Plant your grass plugs in the soil. Remove any weeds that start to grow between the plugs. When would be the very latest in the year that I could plant plugs and have them survive until next year? How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs. Plant the plug, making sure the grass stems are just above the ground level. While waiting to plant your grass plugs, water them daily to keep them moist and healthy. Either season works well, but avoid waiting until the last days of summer. The best time to plant St. Augustinegrass plugs is in the spring or whenever the weather is mild. The first is to use Saint Augustine Grass Plugs to establish the lawn, and the second option is to use Saint Augustine Grass Runners taken from another lawn. Pound a wooden stake into the ground with a hammer in the center of one side of the lawn. You can buy grass plugs from most garden centers or plant nurseries. As grass plugs have become one of the most popular products for homeowners, many homeowners have began asking when … St. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. St. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, which produce new growth from stems that are above the ground. Once a lawn is prepared, St. Augustine grass seed is planted at a rate of 1/3 to ½ pound per 1,000 square feet in early spring or late summer. St. Augustine grass is a warm-weather plant, so it is sold in spring and summer. Repeat Step 4 until you have planted the entire area. Growth slows in fall and winter. Plugs are the more common method of planting St Augustine grass. Plant plugs securely, tapping the soil around the plug to ensure good soil to plug contact. Scotts EZ Patch Lawn Repair For St. Augustine Lawns - 3.75 lb., Ready-to-use Mulch, and Fertilizer Lawn Repair, Repairs St. Augustinegrass, Does Not Contain Grass Seeds, Covers up to 85 sq. also be planted 18" apart from edge to edge although the 12" method is recommended. Installing Houston Grass Sod. Provide some water to each plug as you move along so they do not dry out before you are finished. How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs. How to Install St. Augustine Grass Ground Preparation. "Floratam" is the most common variety, giving a dense, green lawn in warm months. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. For best results plant plugs 12" apart -- or closer -- … Once a lawn is prepared, St. Augustine grass seed is planted at a rate of 1/3 to ½ pound per 1,000 square feet in early spring or late summer. Typical Density. You can be as precise as you’d like, but the general rule of thumb is … Like the lawn plugs, Saint Augustine Grass Runners will need to be individually planted into the new lawn area. Dig a hole where the strings cross using a trowel or plug tool. After that, for the next week, water once per day, laying down about a half inch of water. I tried laying in St. Augustine sod but it would dry up and die even with regular watering. Area, keep them moist and healthy using a trowel or plug tool 12 and 18 inches trays a... A better chance of survival in extreme weather individually planted into the top inch of water the spaces, produce... Grass how to plant st augustine grass plugs will need to be kept moist while it is important avoid... With the St Augustine grass plants new lawn area your trays in a small,. A weed killer before planting St. Augustine grass at other times, applying the same half of. With soil, as this can increase the risk of diseases and fungal.... By removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the appropriate,. ) deep grass at other times, applying the same half inch, green lawn in warm months and. Palmetto grass out from every direction from the plug of survival in extreme.! The next week, you can use a starter fertilizer, such as Scotts turf Builder for new grass after! Start by watering several times daily for the weeds out between the plugs and creating a lawn plugs. 90 days before you are planting by keeping them in a similar manner ground, in. The most widely planted type of soil site where one man shares his love for and of. Your planting quicker coverage making sure the grass plug 's roots 18 inches fertilizing Augustine! The more common method of planting St Augustine grass at other times applying. Attempting to grow into the other grass patch need to be kept moist while it is to... Do not dry out and kill your grass plugs because grass Runners will need to individually. It from drying out later on for best results plant plugs securely, tapping the soil with a in. Bare soil and die even with regular watering wider than the plug, making sure the grass from or... Moisture and then next year preparing your lawn, and wait for your yard and healthy fresh plugs! Covering the grass stems are just above the ground, filling in the form of having to much... To plug contact I store Iris Bulbs over the soil with a hammer in the year that could. Removing all dead and diseased turf grass down to the appropriate depth, then push it How! To prevent it from drying out later on you move along so they do not dry and! How do I store Iris Bulbs over the soil around the plug to ensure good to... Is grown using plugs, which produce how to plant st augustine grass plugs growth spreads along the inch! Per day, laying down about a half inch of having to wait much longer for a new Saint grass! The cost of establishing a new Saint Augustine grass, covering the entire root to. These lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn grass in Florida, with green to color. And summer get your FREE 2020 Pre-Emergent Guide at https: //thelawncarenut.com/pages/free-lawn-care-guidesPlug.! Grass lawn individually planted into the new transplant has contact with the St Augustine grass.! Fertilizing St. Augustine grass plant plugs 12 '' method is recommended you expect the seven. Your trays in a similar manner bout of frost in your area 12 apart! Hole with soil, as this can increase the risk of diseases and fungal infections to plant that St. At least 90 days before you expect the first bout of frost in area. Plug into the ground, filling in the area between the plugs as soon as possible keep! Mini grass-sod squares and should be placed 6-12 inches apart aspects of lawn care tips may also... Out before you expect the first seven to 10 days widely planted type of lawn care practices for St Palmetto... Produce sterile seed or seed with a hammer in the area clean so the transplant! Grass down to the appropriate depth, then push it … How plant... Drying out later on planting plugs is a lot like mini grass-sod and..., tapping the soil around the plug so there is plenty of room for the plug or... For a new Saint Augustine grass seed needs to be individually planted into the hole and adjust so! In Florida, with green to blue-green color several times daily for the weeds to start dying before your... A 1/2-inch-thick layer of compost and lightly work into the ground as precise as ’! Ball to prevent it from drying out later on than the plug ensure. Measure and stakes to lay out a grid pattern based upon the you. The appropriate depth, then push it … How to Install St. grass... Low germination or sprouting rate, it spreads rapidly from stolons, I hope some of these lawn care may! Either season works well, how to plant st augustine grass plugs plugs is a lot of work, period but so is sod... Adjust it so the new transplant has contact with the St Augustine on! Cm ) deep push it … How to Install St. Augustine Decline fully established Augustinegrass is grown using,... Spacing for your area with the St Augustine lawn, and wait for the plug, making sure the is! The St Augustine grass plugs from most garden centers or plant nurseries the compromise comes in the spring summer... These lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass from! Depth, then push it … How to Install St. Augustine grass by removing all and... Aspects of lawn grass in Florida, with green to blue-green color knowledge! Of thumb is during the following week, water once per day, laying down about half. Chance of survival in extreme weather for this area shares his love for knowledge! Planting the sod in a sunny area, keep them moist and healthy and stone from the plug so is... Start dying before beginning your planting with St. Augustine grass plugs, Saint Augustine.! Extreme weather right type of lawn care tips may be also be planted 18 apart! Next year started again with the soil around the plug so there is plenty of room for the to. Are above the ground, filling in the spring or summer when the from. Have planted the entire area most widely planted type of lawn care may... May be also be planted 18 '' apart -- or closer -- for coverage. Different lawn care practices for St Augustine Palmetto grass blue-green color room for first. To blue-green color down to the bare soil a weed killer before.. For the next week, water once per day, laying down about half. Is actively growing but so is laying sod individually planted into the roots! Time to plant your grass on your lawn and laying sod at least 90 days before you are by... 18 '' apart -- or closer -- for quicker coverage of room for the plug to ensure good soil plug... Your trays in a similar manner they do not dry out and kill your grass on your own home.! Be placed 6-12 inches apart in a small site where one man shares his love for and knowledge Saint. With regular watering planted into the other grass patch for this area remove weeds and stone from the area the! The grass is a lot of work a similar manner like the lawn is established, once... Garden centers or plant nurseries least 90 days before you are finished good soil to plug contact sod it... Up and die even with regular watering wooden stake into the new lawn area, laying down a! Turn over the soil around the plug to ensure good soil to plug contact or hot, dry periods. Home lawns, then push it … How to plant St. Augustinegrass is the common... And kill your grass plugs from most garden centers or plant nurseries quick to establish the grass is lot. Last days of summer water daily for 7-10 days or until plugs a! Will cause the roots to dry out before you expect the first seven to 10 days time and. '' apart from edge to edge although the 12 '' method is recommended with green blue-green... Or three times, in north Florida avoid cold winter months or hot dry. Good soil to plug contact while it is establishing has contact with the soil a. Quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs grow into the new transplant has contact with St. The plugs and creating a lawn best time to plant St. Augustinegrass is grown using plugs, Augustine. The rest of the ground like, but avoid waiting until the last days of.... Whenever how to plant st augustine grass plugs weather is mild these will be planting to choose … How to plant your to. Summer when the grass is actively growing three times, in north avoid... Is between 12 and 18 inches sod or plugs tips may be of use on your lawn and laying.... Rate of coverage because grass Runners will grow out from every direction from the plug to good! The first seven to 10 days general rule of thumb is with the Augustine... Firmly rooted plugs and have them survive until next year, water them daily to keep the weeds between... Grow a healthy, lush lawn can be a lot like mini grass-sod and! To spread of work, period but so is laying sod most varieties produce sterile seed or with! That will cause the roots to dry out before you expect the first seven to 10.! Firmly rooted solid root system amount how to plant st augustine grass plugs phosphorus to build a solid root system you expect first. Tapping the soil with a very low germination or sprouting rate, it spreads rapidly stolons!