How to Grow Saint Augustine Grass

Saint Augustine grass is used often in the southern U.S. The grass originated in tropical areas, so it does well in the South, especially along the coast, which normally doesn't get below-freezing temperatures. Saint Augustine grass is not purchased in seed form, because a commercial seed product has been found difficult to produce. The grass is offered as sod that you can plant to establish a lush, green lawn.

Rake or tiller
Topsoil
Blade knife
Wood pegs
Hammer
Water
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Till the lawn with a tiller to loosen the soil and work in some air. Till down 4 to 6 inches, and then level out the soil with a rake.
- 2
  Roll out the first row of sod starting at one end of the lawn. You will need several strips to complete one row. Place the ends of the strips right next to each other with no gaps.
- 3
  Tap wood pegs or stakes into the corners of each sod strip to anchor them to the ground and keep them from shifting.
- 4
  Cut the first St. Augustine sod strip in half when you start the second row. Use a blade knife to cut through the sod. This will ensure that the seams between strips do no line up with the seams of the first row. You don't want long lines in the lawn that come from matched-up seams. Finish the row by adding more sod strips and anchoring them with the pegs. Repeat with other rows, staggering seams, until the yard is covered.
- 5
  Cut the sod strips if you need to fit in corners or curve around landscape edges.
- 6
  Water the St. Augustine grass sod. Start with a daily morning watering to moisten the soil down to 2 inches below the sod strips, then water two more times during the day. Do not water in the evening. After the first week, cut back watering to once a day, then water twice a week for two more weeks. When the first month is up, water once a week if there is no rain.

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