\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. St. Augustine grass seed needs to be kept moist while it is establishing. St. Augustine is a broad bladed, medium green colored grass. Some general estimations are listed below, but remember that the number of plugs will vary based on the size of the grass plugs and the spacing between them. You might be interested: Lets find out. Of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant. It is somewhat less drought-tolerant. Each plug has been carefully maintained to develop a well established root system, making them an excellent way to start or improve your lawn. You can learn more about this here. This usually takes about 7-14 days, and It is recommended to water as deeply as possible during this time. The best time to grow St Augustine grass is in May through July when the average daytime temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. World rights reserved. It spreads via stolons. Otherwise, they will pop back up while your plugs are establishing themselves. 5 Water the lawn daily for 3 weeks. Now, place each plug in the pre-dug hole and press it firmly for the task at hand. After 14 to 15 days, your St Augustine grass has begun spreading, and firm roots are now established. Fertilize it initially in spring after it has finished greening up. DO NOT use potting soil mixes with heavy organic matter content as filler. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Do Grasshoppers Bite? Aside from that, fertilizing the st. Augustine grass, every once in a while, will also encourage vigorous growth and a healthy lawn. St. Augustine grass performs best if fertilized regularly, on a schedule. Now is also a great time to do a soil test. After that, you need to maintain one inch of water every week. It grows best in tropical climates. Determine the exact dimensions of the area youll be planting, to ensure you purchase enough St. Augustine grass plugs. Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer will give your plugs a kickstart and make them grow faster! Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. St. Augustine grass identification is based on its bluish-green leaf color with wide, flat blades and low, creeping habit that allows it to form dense mats. Another important thing you must remember while digging holes is that it should have the same depth as your st. Augustine grasss root ball. One of the most common questions people ask is when to plant these plugs. Plant the grass plugs Safely place the plugs in the holes one after the other as you securely tap the soil around them to ensure proper soil-plug contact. Buy fresh plugs and keep them moist. Once they start spreading, you will notice your lawn is getting greener day by day. Bermudagrass will tolerate only slightly higher salt levels. Dig the holes in a checkerboard pattern considering the recommended spacing distance between each sod. Planting the plugs isnt the end of the process. 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 . Preparing the area also includes spreading the fertilizer and watering it properly. St. Augustine grass requires warm weather to grow. And if your lawn has bare or bald spots, its still a great option to fix them. You can find St. Augustine plugs in your local home and garden store. In zones 7 to 12, you can start a lawn of St. Augustine grass any time during the growing season. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. Please call us at 281-431-7441 or use our contact form for more information or a quote for your project. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass Plant the grass plugs at least 90 days before your regions first estimated fall frost. When should I plant St Augustine grass? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. However, late spring has moderately warm weather between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. However, you can plant . Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn? 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. Make slightly larger holes than the plugs; this will make it easier to plant them. If you follow it step-by-step, youre unlikely to make a mistake. Proper soil pH and nutrients will not only give your new sod the best change to grow. If you allow your lawn to grow past 3 inches you risk the possibility of mowing down into the stems. It has a thick, deep root system and can grow fairly feet tall. I had St. Augustine sod put down last summer. 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? Theyll begin spreading on their own. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of soil salinity, producing satisfactory growth at salt levels as high as 16 mmhos. When the soil and growing conditions are ideal, St. Augustine sod will develop firm roots and start to spread quickly within 14 days post-installation. You surely cant just leave your grass to fend for itself. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Aerate and dethatch your lawn as needed to foster better air circulation. Use a hose or sprinklers to water the sod. We deliver the best quality grass in Houston, and we do it at a competitive price too. This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. If the soil is too acidic, lime can be added to raise the pH level. Kneel or walk on plywood instead. Just follow these steps: The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in the south. It is important that you dig 2-4 deep and remove the soil with the grass. By doing this you are putting fertilizer in direct contact with the developing roots. If the st. augustine grass plug doesnt seem at level with the surrounding ground, it means that the hole may be extra deep. The time taken ensures your grass plugs will not die off. This product is powered by Imidacloprid and guarantees both foliar and systemic insect control. The only requirement is to plant the plugs correctly, water them adequately, and provide proper lawn maintenance practices that involve mowing, fertilizing, and watering. Fill the holes created with soil or sand. Common diseases affecting St. Augustine grass include brown patches, gray leaf spots, and take-all root rot. . When you get a clean bill of health, rake the soil smoothly to remove large soil clods, chunks, and other debris. To check for chinch bugs, try a water test. It is expensive to establish St. Augustine because it can only be planted with sprigs, plugs, and sod. And if you were to ask for the best time for growing St. Augustine grass in the U.S., I would say: you can grow your grass from May all the way to July.