\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. St. Augustine grass is prone to attacks from insects and diseases. Cover the roots adequately, fill all the gaps, and leave the crowns in the air. Even though st Augustine plugs can be planted in the mid-summer, it is certainly not advisable. Once they start spreading, you will notice your lawn is getting greener day by day. This will give your newly planted lawn enough time to establish before the harsh weather sets in. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. St. Augustine grass is a spreading, warm-season grass for lawns, especially in warm climates. When it comes to st. Augustine grass, the most effective grid pattern for these plugs is a diamond one. St. Augustine does well in the warm Tampa climate and is easy to plant as either sod or plugs. This will ensure that the st. Augustines growth isnt interrupted mid-way. This warm-season grass goes dormant in winter. Conversely, if there isnt enough rainfall, water the grass plugs more frequently or install an irrigation system. By doing so, you are giving your grasses sufficient time to get prepared for the upcoming extreme weather. St. Augustine grass not only tolerates warm temperatures but thrives in the hot sunny season. The plugs, which are rooted pieces of sod, gradually fill in the spaces between them, producing a full, beautiful lawn. If you look at the list of warm-season grass, you will find St. Augustine grass to be one of the most common grasses in it. Remove any weeds from the soil. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If a disease is identified, you can apply St. Augustine Grass fungicide. Contact us and share your ideas to see if we can work together. Flagging the spots beforehand will make the digging process a lot easier. World rights reserved. Existing vegetation must be dead. There is still hope, your lawn can still look green and full of life. This time is suggested because the grass will have plenty of time to establish itself before the winter months approach and dormancy takes over. A goodgarden loamworks well. We deliver the best quality grass in Houston, and we do it at a competitive price too. You might be in too dry a climate for grass and/or sod. This grass loves the full sun and grows best under sunlight and heat. St. Augustine grass will only stay green all year if the soil temperature remains 60 F or warmer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. After considering all these requirements, it is safe to say that the best time to plant st. augustine grass plugs will be spring (late spring, to be particular) and summer (early summer). Spring or Summer, when the temperatures are at least 80 degrees. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to receive emails with related tips, information, and promotions from Scotts Miracle-Gro, it's affiliates, and select partners and to our Conditions of Use and consent to the collection of your personal information. 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. I had a contractor lay down the sod. Watering a lawn gets expensive and may be regulated in your area. % of people told us that this article helped them. Considering that youve already flagged the spots in diamond patterns, you need to dig holes properly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You surely cant just leave your grass to fend for itself. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. Cut the end off a can, place it on top of the grass, then fill it with water. Lastly, water the plugs again. The only requirement is to plant the plugs correctly, water them adequately, and provide proper lawn maintenance practices that involve mowing, fertilizing, and watering. If youre replacing an existing lawn, rent a sod-cutter to remove the old sod and vegetation. 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. Most St. Augustine seed is naturally sterile. It is important to continue to water the newly planted St. Augustine plugs for the next two weeks. 2002-2023 The Scotts Company LLC. When you till the soil later, it serves as a natural fertilizer. Each hole should be spaced according to your plan, 6 to 12 apart. A tray of St. Augustine grass plugs can have 18 grass plugs that can cover roughly a 32 square ft area. Common diseases affecting St. Augustine grass include brown patches, gray leaf spots, and take-all root rot. You will have to keep up with the required irrigation and fertilization. After you see the grass spreading, you can mow your lawn, ensuring that you dont cut them too short that they become lower than 2 inches. This variety of grass is sensitive to cold weather. I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. 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. RainSaucers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, 2023 RainSaucers - Bringing Rain to Your Garden, What Is The Best Time To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs, How To Maintain Newly Planted St. Augustine Plants, How To Plant St. Augustine Grass Plugs Summary, How Long to Water Overseeded Lawn? When to Plant St. Augustine GrassSt. You can learn more about this here. Planting the plugs too deep could cause the crowns to rot. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. To prepare the soil, do the following: After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. After two weeks, the weeds should be dead. Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. Helps St. Augustine grass repair 60% faster. The landscaping supplier should look at the sketch map and measurements to advise you on the number of plugs you need for that specific area. How far apart should you plant St Augustine plugs? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It forms a dense mat over the ground that helps to suppress the growth of weeds. St. Augustine grass plugs should be planted at least 12 inches apart. After the holes have been dug, thoroughly water the area. We recommend saving time and your back, by using the Corona LG3720 SodPLUGGER. You can add fertilizers directly in the holes because the contact will accelerate the root development process. How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker, Fuller, and Greener: A Complete Lawn Care Guide. St. Augustine sod grows best in warm places that dont freeze over in the winter.