How long for st augustine plugs to spread

Can anyone comment from their experience? Living in zone 10B. Large St Augustine lawn put in Using soda to weaken the growth of CG and hours hand-weeding seem far too exhausting and pretty fruitless. We are at a loss here in this area. Any recommentations? I have a healthy white ash that has a 42 in circumference.

I used seeds I want to cut st. Can nut grass be passed on from a lawn that has a lot of it to my lawn by my gardners using the same mower? I live in sunny California where it gets over degrees on some days during the summer season.

I would like to plant Saint Augustine grass. However, I have heavy clay soil. Should I mix in some sand when planting the St. Augustine plugs? Thank you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Today's Homeowner. Expert Advice on Improving Your Home. Augustine Grass. Lawn Doctor Review The Basics of Lawn Maintenance. What are the web sites that I can purchase St. Augustine seeds online. Can you purchase St. Augustine grass seed anywhere? We live in Florida. I trimed the yellowing part of the blades or my border grass. Will that cause it to die? Thank you! If it just so happens the regular watering, proper mowing, and the right fertilization routine are not improving the spread of your St.

Augustine grass, there are other factors that may be responsible. Luckily, once the problem is identified, there is always something that can be done. Weeds on a lawn are not only unsightly. They can be detrimental to their growth. Some invasive weeds and grasses, if given the opportunity, will move into the spaces meant for your St Augustine grass to grow into.

This is yet another reason to encourage the quick spread of St. Augustine — the faster it fills in your lawn, the less room there is for weeds. To avoid a weed issue from the get-go, lay down a pre-emergent selective herbicide that will target the problem weed in your area. If you notice grassy weeds, such as crabgrass, have invaded your lawn, it could be hindering your St.

Augustine from spreading. It can sometimes take several seasons to rid your lawn entirely of weeds, so be preemptive. One of the diseases St. Augustine is prone to, and one reason your established lawn may not be growing and spreading to its full potential, is grey leaf spot. This is most common in hot and moist climates, such as Florida and other Gulf states, but could also be the result of overwatering.

Grey leaf spot loves moisture because it is a fungus that spreads by spor. It is distinguishable by its small grey spots on the blades of grass that eventually take over the entire blade.

To avoid this St. Augustine problem, be careful not to overwater. It is crucial to water your lawn regularly if you want the grass to spread and grow at its fastest, but too much will result in fungi such as this one.

A virus that can be problematic for the growth and spread of your St. Augustine lawn is known as St. Augustine decline. This virus is most commonly known in Texas but can be found in the surrounding states as well. Augustine decline makes your lawn more susceptible to environmental stress, such as drought, without making a strong recovery. Grass with this virus will not be actively spreading and growing but will respond to an iron-rich fertilizer, although this is not an instant cure.

Other than vulnerability, grass with the virus can be characterized by light spots and discoloration on the leaves, also known as stippling. After the first signs, St. The only way to avoid this virus is prevention. Plant a variety of St. Augustine that is immune to the virus if you are concerned about St. Augustine decline slowing the growth of your turf.

These little pests will definitely slow down the progress of your St. Augustine grass as it tries to spread. Southern Chinch bugs are the most common pests in St. Augustine lawns, due to their ideal environment being the same as St. Augustine grass spreads and this is helped by stolons, the horizontal shoots, which grow and spread on the ground.

Augustine grass spreads quickly compared to most varieties of turfgrasses, which makes it an excellent option to grow a thick and carpet-like lawn. To grow and thrive, St. Augustine grass requires soil with proper nutrients and so, regular fertilizer application is required as part of the lawn maintenance. The best fertilizer to aid the growth of St. Augustine grass comprises nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the ratio Nitrogen is very important for the growth of St.

Augustine grass and there should be around 1 pound 0. Care should be taken when using nitrogen fertilizer in the early stages, apply sparingly. However, for best results, before you apply the fertilizer, measure your yard. Also, verify the chemical composition and ratios of the fertilizer brand before buying the proper one.

Once you find the proper fertilizer for your St. Augustine grass lawn, apply it uniformly and avoid over-concentrating it because it can smother the sod and damage it.

Once you apply the fertilizer, water the grass; however, you must take care not to overwater. The soil should just be damp and not soaked because St. Augustine grass does not need a lot of water. Apply the fertilizer after the final frost of the season, because applying the fertilizer before this can harm the grass. Your St. Augustine grass could be turning yellow because of many reasons. If there has been a lot of rain , this could cause the nitrogen to leach out of the soil causing the grass to turn yellow because nitrogen is essential for the green growth of the grass.

Your grass could also be turning yellow because of iron chlorosis or iron deficiency. Augustine grass requires frequent watering. DO NOT use potting soil mixes with heavy organic matter content as filler. To reduce noticeable lawn damage, increase the space between harvested plugs.

Spacing multiple feet between holes and in a checkerboard pattern will help your yard heal quicker. The best time to plant St. Augustine plugs is in the late spring or early summer. Even if you get a late start into the summer, it is likely still safe to plant plugs.

Planting in the late summer should be mindful of the estimated first winter frost. Augustine plugs needs at least 90 days before the first frost.

The first step is to examine and calculate the area of the space needing plugs. The amount of space covered by a tray of St. Augustine plugs can vary by plant spacing. Always take time to properly prepare the soil prior to installing your grass plugs. The time taken ensures your grass plugs will not die off.

It also allows your grass to spread as quickly as possible. To prepare the soil, do the following:. After you have removed the vegetation, plan out the desired planting grid pattern. It is easier to flag where you will place St.

Augustine plugs before digging. Space plugs in a diamond pattern to reach the square footage coverage in the table above. Next, dig the holes for the plugs. Planting will be easier and have better success if the hole is larger than the plug.

Use a garden trowell to dig holes.