\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. What makes these pests so deadly is that they do not merelyeatyour grass: They also inject a toxin into it. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs. Typically, holes will be between 2-4 deep. Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the roots of the grass and can cause yellowing or browning of the grass. Keep the newly planted St Augustine grass plugs moist for two weeks; . For instance, we shared detailed information about the best time to plant it, follow-up maintenance, and growth rate. Directions. Area must be cultivated, graded, then compacted to prevent subsequent settling. St. Augustine grass is a spreading, warm-season grass for lawns, especially in warm climates. You wont need to wait for years to see your lawn turn lush green. St. Augustine grass is a popular turf in Florida and other warmer states. Plugs, on the other hand, are a much cheaper alternative. 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. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. The next step would be to water the plugs and ensure the field is well-irrigated properly. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. This toxin renders your grass unable to take up water properly, and the grass dies. St. Augustine is one of the fastest-growing grasses, which means that ignorance of maintenance requirements can lead the grass growth to get out of hand. Our specialists recommend adding a small amount starter fertilizer to the holes. SodPods can also be used as a cost-effective way to plant a beautiful new lawn. 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. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. Will St. Augustine grass take over weeds? St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular lawn grasses in Florida and the Gulf states, thanks to its tolerance of heat and humidity. Watering makes the ground more malleable and gives the roots of the St. Augustine grass plugs immediate moisture. We also discussed some of the main queries that come with plug plantation. Youll need to spread a phosphorus-rich fertilizer on the soil. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. It's best to plant it during warm weather. Youll need to monitor them regularly and keep a note that mildew or brown spots are among the earliest signs. This period will last for well around 2 weeks, and once they start spreading, you can give them an inch of water per week. Using a sod plugger tool, insert it into the ground, twist and lift. Results may vary. It is expensive to establish St. Augustine because it can only be planted with sprigs, plugs, and sod. Turn the soil with a garden tiller to a depth of 4 inches. This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. The Effects of Cutting the Lawn Too Short Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the . It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. This grass is best for coastal areas. Taking measurements for your planting area will help you to calculate the number of plugs you need to order from your supplier. So, unless you live in the subtropical regions of Florida and California, St. Augustine grass will turn brown in winter. If you want to plant some, wait until the spring or early summer, then spray a glyphosate weedkiller over the planting area to protect the plants from competing grasses. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. When st. Augustine grass will not receive its sufficient water supply, it will suffer from drought issues, and your responsibilities will increase. We offer plugs in Zoysia and St. Augustine grass. If the area experiences heavy rain, you may need to improve drainage or create a rain garden to help manage excess water. . It prefers warmer weather and grows best when temperatures are at least 75-degrees Fahrenheit. Now you are ready to plant the St. Augustine sod plugs! By doing so, you are giving your grasses sufficient time to get prepared for the upcoming extreme weather. Once youve laid it, youll need to water it once a day for the first week. If your holes end up being too deep, you can add a little nutrient-rich soil to fill in the extra space. Stolons facilitate faster lawn coverage once the plugs are in place. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Deciding a grid pattern for your st. Augustine grass lawn is also a vital part. Prevention is the best way to control chinch bugs. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. St. Augustine grass plugs are a great way to fill in bare and dead spots. If the soil is loose, you can make it suitable for planting the plugs using a garden rake. By doing so, your st. Augustine will have immediate moisture and establish deep roots more quickly. Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to new plugs while they establish. The key takeaway is to plant it the right way at the right time and take proper care afterward. Continue to feed every 6-8 weeks until the lawn has completely filled in. I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. Keep pets and other people away until you are finished. 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 the simple guide below to pick the broadcast spreader thats best for your lawn size. St. Augustine grass does better in a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral. You can also determine the best time by looking at the forecast. Transplant these self-created plugs into other areas of your yard. St. Augustine sod grows best in warm places that dont freeze over in the winter. Enjoy! These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. Plant the plugs in sections every 6 apart. So, the only option left in hand is grass plugs. We deliver grass sod all over the Houston area or you can pick up your fresh sod at our office. Finish by watering the grass plugs again. St. Augustine grass is used primarily for lawns as it does not tolerant traffic as well as some other warm season species. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. St. Augustine plugs can be planted year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates where the grass does not go dormant. Then, sprigs are either scattered on the surface and topped with soil or compost, or else pressed into the soil with a machine known as a fairway planter. It is just the beginning, so be prepared for the long road ahead. Measuring your lawn area is the first and most important step in planting St. Augustine grass plugs. Youll notice them carpeting your lawn, but mowing before it looks untidy is better. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. These months are advisable because they are neither excruciatingly hot nor undesirably cool. If you are asking how many days it will take to fill the bare spots in your garden, well, it will depend much on the distance of the plugs. The holes for your St. Augustine grass can be dug by hand, using a specialized tool rented from your local hardware store or lawn care company, or using a drill attachment meant for making these types of holes in the ground for plug or bulb planting. Let it root in for at least 3 weeks. 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. Benefits of plugs include the fact that you can plant one and within a matter of months they will spread and fill in the area . Each hole should be dug slightly larger than, but the same depth as, the plug's root ball. You surely cant just leave your grass to fend for itself. One tray of 18 planted 12" to 16 apart will cover 50 square feet. Whether starting a new lawn or replacing an old one, a soil test is necessary for both. It grows best in tropical climates. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 F. Planting in Rows Dig a row to the depth of your plugs using your hoe. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. After you have measured the area that you want to be covered by st. Augustine grass, the next step would be to prepare it and ensure its ready for the plugs. Houston Grass South is located just a few miles east of Sienna Plantation in Arcola, TX. Plug hole depth will vary based on the amount of root system on the St. Augustine plugs. It's simple, planting St Augustine plugs is as easy as throwing down one two inch plug for every twelve inches of soil. Its like laying bricks. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. Read More Here. Nitrogen aids deep root development, which is why its recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers once every 6-8 weeks. Now, you can use an adequate non-selective herbicide to do this job but remember to wait 2 weeks afterward to allow the herbicides effects to dematerialize. You can make your St Augustine grass spread faster, and grow thick and dense through the following ways: St Augustine grass is an easy-to-maintain grass that establishes quickly. In the fifth week onward, your lawn should go 2 to 3 days between watering unless there is extreme drought. Make sure that the crown of the plug isnt covered in soil. Heat promotes the growth of St. Augustine grass. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. Keep watering your newly planted grass plugs for 2 weeks. Now that you know how to plant st. Augustine grass plugs, lets discuss some other important things. Consult your local laws for water usage regulations. 5 Water the lawn daily for 3 weeks. 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. After digging the holes, saturate the area by watering thoroughly but dont completely fill the holes with water. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. It was fine and then turned to a straw-like color over the winter. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Be sure not to water the area to the point where water is standing or pooling in the holes. It will make ideal-sized holes for the plugs. If you use smaller squares of sod, stagger the rows. Dig out and dispose of any diseased patches of sod as soon as you find them. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). 1. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We research, test, & and review the best products. Okay, weve discussed when to grow St. Augustine grass. Generally speaking, you will need to wait roughly 7 to 14 days to observe the grass plugs spreading. Propagation: Bermuda grass can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass only grows from transplanted sod or plugs. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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