St. Augustine Grass Plugging Instructions

Soil Preparation

• Before buying plugs, prepare your yard. Apply an herbicide to remove the current layer of vegetation, and test the soil pH to ensure it is suited to St. Augustine grass. It does not grow well in soil with a pH above 7.5.

  Once your soil is ready, determine how many plugs you need by calculating the square footage of your yard. Plugs should be planted 6 to 24 inches apart. More space between holes requires fewer plugs, but it also lengthens the time it will take for the grass to spread across the bare spots.

  If you leave only 6 inches between plugs, your lawn should be completely covered in three to six months. Wider spacing requires six to 12 months for full coverage. A tray of 18 plugs covers 32 square feet when planted 12 inches apart.

Planting

• Water your soil to soften it, then dig your holes. Dig holes 2 to 3 inches deep. Place the soil that you remove in a large bucket for later use. Space your holes according to your plans.

  Move in a straight line to create a single row. Alternate rows to create a checkerboard pattern. The holes for your second row should be in line with the untouched soil from the first row.

  Place a scoop of plug starter fertilizer in the hole, then insert the plug. Press in the loose soil around the plug and tamp down the plug to secure it. Make sure your grass starts just above the level of adjacent bare soil.

After Planting

• To ensure a level lawn, fill in low spots between plugs with soil gathered while digging holes. Your goal is to level the bare soil with the base of the plugs.

  Water your plugs immediately after planting. Continue to keep the plugs moist for seven to 10 days, then check to see whether the plugs have taken root. To do this, grab a handful of St. Augustine grass and give it a light tug. If it pulls up the plug, your roots have not been established in the soil. After a week to 10 days, though, the plug should not move without significant effort.

  After your plugs are established in the soil, you are ready to mow. Wait two weeks before mowing--otherwise, your plugs might shift in the soil. Continue to mow frequently. This promotes the spreading of seeds.