Plug Vs. Sod. On the other hand, if you only have patches of damage and need to fill in certain areas, use plugs. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the roots begin to grow on-site, which typically is as soon as 10 days. However, St. Augustine is one of the more expensive sod choices at $.30-$.70/sq’. Great for high traffic areas. If most of your lawn is in a state of disrepair, you may choose the route of completely starting from scratch. You can’t just look at soil to determine its nutrient deficiencies and excesses even if the soil “looks” good to go. After you’ve planted all the plugs, lightly roll the area to ensure they make good contact with the plugs’ roots and the surrounding soil. Although different seasons have their own pros and cons, the best time to lay sod or grass plugs is usually between early and mid-fall. The most expensive way to establish St. Augustine is with sod. Grow Your Best Lawn with Weekly Lawn Care Tips, Tricks and Advice, During COVID-19 Sod Solutions is Open and Shipping Products -. Plugs are 2- to-4-inch chunks of sod, … The downsides of using plugs are also substantial. Vigorous growth habit. Planting A Saint Augustine Lawn In Fall. There are both warm season and cool season varieties of turfgrass. Penn State Extension recommends laying blocks of sod in a staggered pattern that resembles bricklaying. After studying botany and microbiology at Clemson University, Blackstone was a University of Georgia Master Gardener Coordinator. In general, installing one pallet of sod will take about 1–1.5 hours, seeding will take about 2–4 hours, and installing plugs will take between 30 minutes and four hours. Sprigs are thin 3- to 6-inch pieces of grass stems or runners without soil. Broad blade dense turf. If you’re laying sod on a sloped area, drive a stake or landscape pin into each piece of sod as you lay it to keep it from shifting or moving downhill. Its decline may be the result of environmental stressors, such as drought; cultural practices, such as too much or too little fertilizer; or attacks from insects and diseases… or a combination of all three. If you prioritize lower costs over slow establishment, you may be in a situation where you want to seed your lawn. This factor greatly depends on if you are paying someone to install your grass or if you are installing it yourself. Whether installed as sod or propagated by plugs, in good, well-drained soil, Seville roots quickly and settles in without difficulty. Well, planting plugs is a lot of work, period but so is laying sod. Be sure to check out the Sod Solutions Area Calculator Tool to find out how many sq. Plant St. Augustine … If you only need to patch a bare spot in your lawn or fill in where the existing turfgrass is sparse, you may choose to use plugs. ft. you need to cover. St. Augustine and zoysia plugs will take about a year to fully grow in. Plugs can take a while to grow in—especially if you are plugging your entire lawn. A luxuriant expanse of turfgrass boosts any home’s curb appeal. Sod is the most expensive way to install St. Augustine grass but will give you an instant lawn. First, the plants can take a long time to fill in, sometimes more than a year (planting very densely can save you some time) so you have to wait a while before you have a full lawn. St. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 °F. Invest in your lawn with Lawnifi Liquid Fertilizer. ft. of your yard from the beginning. Highlander II Fescue Grass with Ryegrass Seed – 50 lbs. So when it’s time to rejuvenate a declining lawn, you can re-establish a lush carpet of turfgrass by installing grass plugs or sod. Sod is a full layer of grass that covers every sq. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Establishing a Lawn from Sprigs, Stolons, or Plugs, Purdue Extension: Establishing a Lawn from Sod. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This density choice requires St. Augustine grass plugs to be spaced out about 12-18 inches from each other. If you are starting completely over with a new lawn, sod costs more. This will result in an instant, weed-free lawn. Some varieties are more expensive than others. Seed is the least expensive option, but can be a challenge to germinate. If you plant the plugs too deeply, the crowns can rot, and the plugs may die. It also depends on if you are using a warm season or cool season grass and where you live. There are certain questions you should ask yourself and things to consider before making a purchase. Fairly salt tolerant: Because St. Augustine grass grows naturally along … Plugs and grass seed are the cheaper options, but both result in having bare soil for an extended amount of time since plugs and seed have to grow in. Lawnifi™’s New Lawn Starter Box contains everything newly seeded, plugged or sodded lawns need to establish thick, healthy grass including two bottles of Grow for improved soil health and one bottle of Maintain to feed the lawn. Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time. This grass can tolerate heat and humidity and also has a tolerance for partial shade. The main advantage to using plugs is that they are a cheaper option than sod. To learn more about installing sod, be sure to visit our How to Properly Install Sod page. The most proven St. Augustine for shady lawns, Bitter Blue is the turf you’ve been looking for! Bermudagrass plugs grow in a little more quickly. If you plan on replacing your entire front yard or need a much more significant amount of grass, sod or seed can both serve as practical options. Floratam St. Augustine Lawn Plugs - Floratam St. Augustine is a very popular lawn grass choice for residential and commercial lawns in the southern climates. Over time, however, a picture-perfect lawn may decline in health to form a less-than-picturesque view. Palmetto St. Augustine is the most sold patented turfgrass in the world with more than 1 Billion square feet sold – My assumption of this is because of how often homeowners have to re-sod their lawn because of how poor this grass does vs fungus. Floratam St. Augustine Lawn Plugs - 36 Plugs Plug Shipping Policy: Florida: Orders needs to be placed by 5pm on ... $49.99 36 Count The best time to install seed, sod or plugs differs because each method of installation establishes differently. St. Augustine sod grows best in warm places that don’t freeze over in the winter. The choice between sod, plugs and seed will also greatly depend on the amount of money you want to spend on your lawn. Moisten the soil over the area where you plan to plant grass plugs. This type of sod can handle reclaimed irrigation water and holds up well with high-traffic and even drought. Back in 1973, the University of South Florida and Texas A&M released Floratam Sod. Both methods involve the individual planting of either the plugs or runners at a far reduced rate of coverage than if using roll-on St Augustine grass sod… Call 281-431-7441 for more information or a quote. St. Augustine should be mowed at least once a week during the warm season. If you want an instant lawn, sod is the best option for you. 98. It should be noted that when installing grass with seed, you will likely endure a lot of weed pressure as the grass establishes. In comparison to plugs, it takes about 30 days for your sod to become fully established or for your seed to germinate. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. Lawn Types ST. AUGUSTINE Floratam Sod. After you’ve cleared the area to be planted by removing weeds, rocks and other debris, a soil test will determine the soil fertility. Palmetto has a coarse texture with a soft leaf and makes a stunning bright green turf. Tamp or lightly roll over the sod to ensure good contact with the soil. Plugs can take a while to grow in—especially if you are plugging your entire lawn. Some factors to consider when deciding between plugs and sod include: Optimally, you’ll start your site prep from four to six weeks before you even begin laying sod or planting plugs. We're out of the heat of Summer, so we won't need to water the new turf as often, and the new sod … Find the right grass for your location and needs. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a water-efficient turf grass used in many warm-season lawns. Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper columns. Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. Time spent on each method depends on if the process is completed properly with the right tools and how much land you need to cover. Read the article below to get a better understanding of when to use sod, plugs or seed. In this video, Houston Grass South Owner Michael Romine talks about using St. Augustine grass plugs or using sod pieces in a checkerboard pattern instead of laying solid sod. One of the most important things to take into consideration is how large of an area you need to cover. Vegetative propagation means that plant parts with growing points are used for planting rather than seeds. Never mow more than one … This fertilizer box will give your grass the nutrients it needs during establishment. While the lawn fills in, you have to keep the weeds out between the spaces, which can be a lot of work. Floratam Sod , which has the following features:. If you really want to save money and you’re okay with looking at a few bare spots in your soil for a while, plugs may be the better option. In comparison, sod is installed in pieces forming a solid layer of grass and leaving little space for weeds. Similarly to sod, seed takes about a month to germinate, but you will be looking at bare soil up until that point. Should You Use St. Augustine Grass Plugs to Sod Your Lawn? Bermudagrass plugs grow in a little more quickly. If your decision between sod vs. seed results in sod as the choice, you’ll be able to enjoy some pretty quick results toward having a mature lawn. St. Augustine grass is available as sod, plugs and seed. Plugs are small sections of sod that contain grass, roots and soil. Subscribe to our e-newsletter below if you haven’t done so already to receive the latest updates from Sod University. The Floratam variety of St. Augustine is adaptable to many soil conditions and thrives in high temperatures and humid climates. Sod is mature turf grass that has been grown and cut into long strips by professional growers. Plug trays are the perfect and affordable way to fill in spots or test the performance of a grass in your lawn. They are normally used for smaller areas than sod or … The first is to use Saint Augustine Grass Plugs to establish the lawn, and the second option is to use Saint Augustine Grass Runners taken from another lawn. Be sure to plant the plugs so the level of soil at the base of each plug’s top growth is even with the ground. However, if you apply a product that is not specially formulated for St. Augustine … St. Augustinegrass is established by vegetative propagation only, which includes sod, plugs, or sprigs. St. Augustine grass plugs are the best way to repair bare spots in your lawn. St. Augustine is an alternative to Bermuda grass, especially if you like a lawn that can be mowed higher. Rake the site to form a smooth surface, particularly if you’re sodding, so the sod makes good contact with the soil surface. Seeding your lawn is slightly less labor-intensive and will take just a few hours if you have a drop or broadcast spreader. Plugs are small sections of sod that have mature roots. You can establish only a few warm season varieties with seed. If you have a few damaged or bare spots in your yard due to shade, disease or maybe even insects, then plugs or overseeding may be a much more practical option. This makes it a perfect choice for an all-weather lawn… Or if you are looking to start a whole new lawn in a small area, plugs are a great alternative to sod. All types of grass also benefit from organic matter that you incorporate into the soil by tilling (large areas) or double digging (smaller areas). Cool season turfgrasses are usually established via seed whereas warm season turfgrass is usually established via sod or plugs. Based on the soil-test recommendations, apply fertilizer and/or lime, and water it in thoroughly. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. Should I Rake My Grass for New Growth if It Died Completely? With Floratam's plush wide bladed appearance Floratam St. Augustine provides a elegant lawn. Each section is typically 2 or 3 inches in width or diameter from plugs that may be grown in individual cells in plastic trays or newly cut from existing turf or blocks of sod. Its a highly profitable grass for sod … Where to Plant Scotts ProVista St. Augustine Sod. Saint Augustine grass lawns are a popular wide bladed (coarse) lawn planted throughout many areas of the Southeastern USA.St Augustine grass is found in Mexico, Australia, and in tropical parts of Africa. To learn more about installing plugs or seed, take a look at How to Properly Install Grass Plugs and How to Properly Plant Grass Seed. Turfgrass growers cultivate sod from grass seed and then harvest sections of established grass by cutting through the turf and removing it along with a layer of soil beneath it. ... Floratam can be established by sod, sprigs or plugs. Bitter Blue has a finer, denser texture and darker blue-green color than other varieties, and has improved cold and shade tolerance. When it comes to purchasing grass for your lawn, homeowners tend to wonder what the difference is between sod, plugs and seed as well as when to use each. St. Augustine 'Floratam' 3 Inch Sod Plugs - 9 Extra Large Live Plugs - Drought, Salt and Shade Tolerant Turf Grass. Cold Hardiness: Floratam’s … Scotts ProVista is suitable for both residential and commercial applications. St. Augustine and zoysia plugs will take about a year to fully grow in. Installing sod requires you to strategically lay out pieces of sod whereas installing grass plugs requires holes to be drilled into the soil for planting. This product is sold in 2-18-pack trays of grass plugs in a box - for a total of 64 sq. Fall is also a great time of year to plant that new St Augustine lawn, and is environmentally friendly too. In general, the best time to install grass seed is when temperatures range from 50–80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are interested in St. Augustinegrass, it should be noted that there is no such thing as St. Augustine seed. After the sod has firmly rooted in place, you can remove the stakes. The answer to this is that it depends. It is a semi-dwarf St. Augustine grass and is our best performing sod … If you want to see your lawn fully established as soon as possible, the better option is to install sod. St… You will have to wait a little while for the pieces of sod to connect and grow together, but this will still take significantly less time than waiting for plugs to grow in. Planting St. Augustine plugs is a great alternative to seeds or sod … Our How to Choose the Right Type of Sod article discusses the different characteristics between zoysia, St. Augustine, bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. It should also be noted that you will need different tools for each project. FREE Shipping 36 lawn SOD plugs are intended to be planted spaced 15-in apart, and grow together over time, the coverage of these Grass plugs … Plugs are very small square chunks of sod that are produced mainly with stoloniferous species like St. Augustine grass. Make sure to sharpen the mower blades so they make clean cuts without tearing the newly growing grass. When the grass has rooted, keep it mowed at a slightly higher setting than usual the first few times you mow. Using a trowel or plug tool, dig holes for the plugs. With this density, the St. Augustine grass plugs will spread at a slower rate and you’ll have to endure a longer fill-in duration for bare spots on your lawn. Whether you are looking to add a lush, green lawn to your home or require … St. Augustine sod … You will need to prepare for the amount of labor/people you will need to get the project finished in a timely manner. And be diligent about removing fallen leaves or other debris as the new grass becomes established; it can block the sun from reaching turfgrass and increase the humidity that may promote fungal diseases. How Do I Plant Grass in Bare Spots on My Lawn? $34.98 $ 34. Many homeowners will turn to fungicides to address lawn issues. Your local Cooperative Extension Service will tell you how to take a soil sample, and they’ll perform an analysis for a nominal fee. Choosing the right type of grass will depend on the growing zone you are located in. What you might not realize is that encouraging your St. Augustine grass to grow can actually make your lawn more susceptible to fungus. Year-round color in frost free climates. 4.2 out of 5 stars 23. Easy to install and maintain. Benefits of plugs include the … If there are small openings between pieces of sod, fill them with soil. Plant St. Augustine grass plugs or sod in full sun, at least 90 … ft. of sod … Starting a lawn with these individual plants is much less expensive than using regular sod, although both sprigs and plugs are rooted pieces of sod. Start your first row against a flat surface such as a sidewalk, driveway or string line to begin a straight pattern. Sod, seed and plug prices will vary depending on the variety of grass you want in your lawn. The time immediately after laying sod or planting plugs is critical to the success of grass establishment. St. Augustine is broad-bladed and medium-green in color. … In comparison to plugs, it takes about 30 days for your sod to become fully established or … St. Augustine establishes quickly and easily. Get the perfect liquid fertilizer for your grass type. Mow seven to ten days after installation. Plugs are also an awesome way to test out a type of grass you may be interested in without making the commitment to install sod or seed. Palmetto St. Augustine. St. Augustine: Centipede: Bermuda: Sun Tolerance: Part Sun: Full Sun: Full Sun: Product Type: Sod Plugs: Sod Plugs: Sod Plugs: Product Length (ft.) 3.56 ft: 3.56 ft: 3.56 ft: Additional Characteristics: Disease Resistant,Drought Tolerant,Salt Tolerant: Drought Tolerant: Disease Resistant,Drought Tolerant,Salt Tolerant: Hardiness Zone: 10 (30 to 40 F),8 (10 to 20 F),9 (20 to 30 F) If you want to plant some, wait until the spring or early summer, then spray a glyphosate weedkiller over the planting area to protect the plants from competing grasses. Mow to a height of 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches with a rotary mower. You can buy sod in squares of varying sizes, including 1-by-2 foot squares and 2-by-3 feet, or in rolls. For example, if your lawn is totally damaged, a full sod installation may be the most practical choice. If you are completing the installation on your own, you may be spending half of your day on the outdoor project. 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