How to Plant St. Augustine Grass Seed

St. Augustine grass is the most common grass grown in the state of Florida. Well liked for its dense, blue-green turf, it tolerates some salt in areas near the ocean, but does best in well-drained fertile soils. It needs irrigation during times of drought and high heat and may require fertilizers if planted in poor quality soils. St. Augustine grass is propagated through plant stolons; the normal method of planting it is with the use of sod in the spring or early summer.

Garden rake
Topsoil

Instructions

- 1
  Clear the soil of any weeds, debris, or stones and rake it over with a garden rake to loosen the top inch of soil.
- 2
  Add 3 to 4 inches of topsoil to the area if the soil fertility is low. Smooth it out with a rake to break down any large clods.
- 3
  Water the area starting at least 24 hours before laying the sod so that the soil is damp in the top 6 inches of the yard.
- 4
  Lay the sod in a brick layout with alternating seams butted right up against each other. Cut the end pieces to fit in the area prepared.
- 5
  Moisten the newly laid sod twice a day with ¼ inch of water in the morning and then again in the late afternoon for two or three weeks after planting. Reduce the watering to an as-needed basis after the roots have established the plant in the soil.

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