\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. We deliver grass sod all over the Houston area or you can pick up your fresh sod at our office. Take a sample of the soil, to a nearby extension agent to advise whether the soil needs fertilizer or pH amendments. It is easier to flag where you will place St. Augustine plugs before digging. The holes themselves should be spaced 12 inches apart (so holes across the center of each diamond will be 15 inches apart). Make sure to plant your St. Augustine lawn when the weather is warm but before the dry season sets in and at least 3 months before the year's first frost. Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. How To Care For St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is a low maintenance sod that can perform well with little extra care. If you put flags in the desired places, it will be easier to identify the spots and dig holes. So, the best thing to do is follow your regions calendar and plant the plugs at a minimum of 90 days before the first expected fall frost. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. Can I put St. Augustine grass over my existing grass? As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. 2002-2022 The Scotts Company LLC. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. Mow the lawn area with a lawnmower, set on the lowest setting, to remove all tall weeds from the area you are planting. Last Updated: February 13, 2023 Just follow these steps: Choose the best time to plant Calculate square footage and spacing Prep the site Plant the grass plugs 1. With a little maintenance, the sod may soon grow into a luxurious St. Augustine lawn. It prefers warmer weather and grows best when temperatures are at least 75-degrees Fahrenheit. This warm-season plant can grow and thrive in a wide range of soil types with a pH between 5.0 to 8.0. 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 may vary from place to place. I had a contractor lay down the sod. After 14 to 15 days, your St Augustine grass has begun spreading, and firm roots are now established. Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. Harvest grass from an inconspicuous or area where grass is very thick. Before going ahead with this important task, it is recommended to water the dug-in holes deeply and saturate the field. 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 is susceptible toinfestations of chinch bugs. . . Here's how to bring back dead St. Augustine grass and make it grow green again: 1. When should I plant St Augustine grass? Check the water depth by digging into wet soil away from the grass or by estimation. 3 steps to success: Prep, Apply, Water. St. Augustine Palmetto is heat and shade tolerant. When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. It's easy and quick to establish the grass from sod or plugs. Young plants are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases such as chinch bugs. A pound covers about 330 square feet. Thoroughly water the planted area three to five times a day for up to 10 days. Taking care of st. Augustine grass plugs after planting them are just as important. St. Augustine plugs can be planted year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates where the grass does not go dormant. Dig out and dispose of any diseased patches of sod as soon as you find them. 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. Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. Ultimate Weed Identification Guide With, Best Fertilizer for Zoysia Grass How To Do It, Centipede Grass Pros and Cons When Its Good, Centipede Grass Seed Whats Critical to Know Before You Sow, How to Clean and Maintain your Artificial Lawn, Sevin Dust One of the Best Pesticide Dusts, Use an all-vegetation herbicide to kill all grass and weeds in the area we recommend, Wait two weeks for the herbicide to completely dissipate, Break up the soil break up compacted soil with a tiller; if soil is loose, use a garden rake, Remove all dead thatch and plant residue from the area. Mow at or above two inches for the first few times. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Your email address will not be published. An easy way to start a St. Augustine lawn is to plant plugs of established grass. Join our mailing list to keep tabs on how to care for your lawn! Established roots mean less water and maximum success. The stolons, often referred to as "runners," sprout and root at the nodes. Use a garden trowell to dig holes. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Thus, it is best to plant it in late spring or summer when the weather is warm. The Questions People Ask Most About Lawn Fertilizing. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Get a soil test and adjust the pH if necessary. Fill the holes created with soil or sand. Monitor them How Fast Do St. Augustine Plugs Grow? Plugs are suitable for tiny areas or when the homeowner isn't in a hurry to create a lawn. After successfully planting the grasses, you can start expecting a dense, lush green grass carpet on your lawn soon. 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. St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. You can grow St. Augustine grass during the summer and make sure you lay the plugs on well-aerated soil, then apply phosphorous fertilizer and come up with a good watering schedule that will encourage quicker root and foliage development. Watering the dead sod more could help. Learn from his research and experience. When planted 18 in. These sod plugs are packaged in trays for convenient shipping and easy installation. Dig holes in a diagonal planting pattern, so each group of four holes forms a diamond. In doing so, make sure that you dont overdo it. 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