How to Plug a Lawn

Preparing the Soil

• 1

  Aerate the lawn or soil with a soil aerator in two directions, moving north to south, then east to west. This makes small plug-shaped holes into the soil where you will place the sod plugs. Wait two days.

• 2

  Add any soil amendments such as fertilizer or new soil to your lawn area. The type of fertilizer you will need depends upon the type of soil you already have in the area. Rototill the lawn again to mix the new and old soils together.

• 3

  Water the site with about 1 ½ inches of water. Wait one day

• 4

  Rake the soil to break up the soil plugs and make the area smoother.

• 5

  Rototill the area one more time.

Laying the Sod Plugs

• 6

  Cut sod into small pieces about 2 to 4 inches wide. The exact shape isn't necessarily as important as the size.

• 7

  Install the plugs between 12 to 24 inches apart in rows. The closer together the plugs and the wider the plugs, the quicker the lawn will fill in. For example, 2-inch wide plugs spaced about 12 inches apart will become established in about three to six months. Plugs placed 24 inches apart may take between six to nine months to grow in.

• 8

  Roll over the newly installed plugs, or walk on them with your feet, to make sure that the plugs are set in the soil.

• 9

  Water the burmudagrass about ¼-inch deep, twice each day, for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks reduce the frequency of watering but give the grass more water, this promotes deeper rooting. Test for rooting by grabbing the middle of a sod piece and lifting it up, if it stays in place the sod has taken root.

• 10

  Mow the grass as needed, once the plugs are established. Don't remove more than 1/3 of the grass height. Once you have mowed the grass three times only water once a week or as-needed.