How to Plant Stolons

Some kinds of lawn grasses increase by sending out long roots, called stolons or sprigs, that spread on the surface of the soil or just below it. Two common lawn grasses that produce stolons are hybrid bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. If you're replacing or repairing your lawn with one of these grasses, you'll probably buy and plant stolons, rather than sowing seed. Buy stolons by the bushel and plant them in late spring or summer. Choose a time when rain will keep the soil moist for several days or plan to water the lawn until the stolons take root.

Lime
Fertilizer or compost
Lawn tractor
Disc
Lawn rake
Lawn roller

Instructions

- 1
  Spread lime and fertilizer or compost over the soil, based on the results of a soil test. Cultivate the soil with a lawn-tractor-pulled disc or a walk-behind tiller.
- 2
  Rake the soil with a lawn rake to level the surface. Smooth out any low spots and slope the soil gradually away from buildings to encourage even drainage.
- 3
  Spread stolons by hand at the rate of 4 to 6 bushels per 1,000 square feet, broadcasting them evenly over the area. Alternatively, plow furrows no more than 2 inches deep and 6 to 12 inches apart, using a lawn tractor's plow, and drop the stolons in the furrows, spacing them 6 to 12 inches apart.
- 4
  Disc the soil lightly to cover broadcast stolons or rake the soil back over the furrows. Roll the area lightly to press the soil against the stolons.
- 5
  Water the soil and keep it moist until the stolons take root and you notice new green growth.

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