How to Install Plugs: Zoysia Grass Plugs, St Augustine Grass Plugs
Warm season grasses are often sold as plugs: Zoysia Grass Plugs, St Augustine Grass Plugs, or Bermuda Grass Plugs. These spreading grasses are difficult to grow from seed. Since sod is expensive, grass plugs are the most cost effective way to establish these lawns.
Spring is the best time to plant them.
Steps to Install:
- Prepare soil. Clean site of weeds and stones. Add organic matter. Apply a starter fertilizer. Rake soil bed smooth and level.
- Dig holes in a grid like pattern. There is a specific tool that pulls plugs from the soil. Or use a trowel. The hole should be deep and wide enough to accommodate the root system. Space the holes in a gridlike pattern 6 to 12 inches apart.
- Buy fresh plugs. Plugs are 2 to 4 inch chunks cut from sod with soil around their roots. They are sold in plastic trays or in cloth bags. How much to buy depends on how close you plan to space them. The closer they are the sooner they will spread.
- Plant plugs as soon possible after purchase. Set each plug in a hole so that the base of the grass stems is slightly above ground level. Use your heel to press down on each plug to bring the roots firmly into contact with the soil.
- Water often. Plugs dry quickly after planting. Keep the soil moist until the new growth has covered the bare areas between plugs. Complete coverage can be expected in 6 to 12 months.
- Eliminate weeds that sprout between plugs. This is a big problem whenever bare soil is exposed to sun and moisture. If you don’t have time to do it yourself, have a local lawn treatment company do it. You can sign up online for a free estimate.
Return from Zoysia Grass Plugs to New Lawn Care.
|