How to ​Plant and Care for St. Augustine Grass

In this guide you will find everything you need to know about planting your very own St. Augustine grass lawn.

It's no secret that the first thing people notice about your home is the lawn!

Get this, St. Augustine grass can make a beautiful lawn around any home. 

If you want to switch things up, you must consider giving St. Augustine grass a try! 

There's a catch, there are a few things you must know about caring for a St. Augustine lawn.

So, without further ado, here is everything you need to know about planting St. Augustine grass.

Planning Ahead for the Planting Season

Here is the deal, being fully prepared for the planting season is important.

if you want to get your new St. Augustine lawn in this year, planning needs to be done in March or April.

While St. Augustine Grass grows best in well-drained soils and warmer temperatures, it also takes a lot of love and gentle care to get it going. 

If you are looking forward to a lovely St. Augustine lawn this year, you will need to follow the next step. 

Test your Soil

First, you will need to make sure you have the right equipment to test your soil.

Soil test kits are cheap, and easy to use. You can also check with your local universities, they often have cooperative extensions that will test your soil for free. 

Once you have tested your soil, and amended your soil as needed, it's time for the next step.

Plant Your St. Augustine Grass

The time for planting St. Augustine is April and May. 

It’s simple, planting St Augustine plugs is as easy as throwing down one two inch plug for every twelve inches of soil. 

Here’s the catch, you don’t want to plant St. Augustine plugs in a square grid. Rather you want to stagger the plugs in a diamond shaped pattern. 

Water Your New Lawn

Once you have transplanted all your sprigs throughout the yard, it is important to keep them watered on a routine basis while also ensuring that they get plenty of light to get them growing. 

Best of all, with a little time and patience, you will begin to see some runners spring up. 

Knowing how much water to put down is important to your lawns success.

That is what the next step is about.  

Water Requirements For New St. Augustine Lawns

As you go through the planting season, knowing how much water to give your sprigs is important for both your grass and water bill. 

Many municipalities may impose water restrictions during parts of the year, so keep this in mind. As April finishes and May begins, the need for watering your St. Augustine grass everyday will lessen more and more. 

However, finding a balance can be tricky. 

As you find yourself watering the lawn less frequently, remember to give your grass a little more water with each session than you would have given toward the beginning of April. 

A safe estimate for this would be about a ¾ inch of water for each watering in the last few weeks of May. 

Don’t Overwater St. Augustine Grass

Sometimes, trial and error is the only way to discover the best solution for maintaining your lawn. Too much water often leads to a host of issues. 

Side effects of overwatering St. Augustine grass include:

1. A shallow root system,
2. Susceptibility to drought,
3. Weeds and overgrowth,  
4. Diseases and pest infestations. 

If you notice any of these telltale signs of over-watering in your grass, never fear! 

You still have time to correct the issue, and at the very least, this knowledge will better serve you tomorrow.

If you need more information check out this guide to St. Augustine turf Issues. 

Fertilize St. Augustine Grass

A healthy lawn starts with the right nutrition. Fertilizing your St. Augustine grass is essential for its growth and health.

When to Fertilize St. Augustine Grass

To ensure your St. Augustine thrives, the best times to fertilize are during spring and early summer. It's advised to start nourishing your lawn about 3 weeks after you notice it turning green in early spring.

This period matches the grass's natural growth cycle, allowing maximum nutrient absorption for a thick, verdant turf. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive growth, making your lawn more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Also, avoid fertilizing in colder months when the grass is dormant.

Mowing & Over-Seeding

Good news! Mowing and seeding St. Augustine Grass is much easier than watering!

Check this out!

Best Mowing Height for St. Augustine

The height you want for your lawn will be a personal preference. In my experience however the best height is to cut St. Augustine grass to around three or four inches. 

Just keep in mind, if you go lower than 3 inches, you are risking burning the lawn. In the warmer months St. Augustine Grass should not be cut much lower than 3 inches. 

Seeding St. Augustine Grass

This is crazy but, seed for St. Augustine Grass is no longer an option. There was a time in which St. Augustine seed was available in nurseries for purchase, however the finicky nature of St. Augustine grass ultimately led to its own decline. 

Sprigs or St. Augustine plugs are more readily available and can be purchased at your local nursery.

Where Can I Buy St. Augustine Grass Seed or Alternatives?

St. Augustine grass seed is rare and typically not the preferred method for planting. For reliable options, consider purchasing St. Augustine grass plugs or sod from local nurseries or garden centers. These establishments offer quality alternatives and can provide expert advice on planting and care.

How Do I Properly Grow St. Augustine Grass?

To grow St. Augustine grass effectively, plant during the warmer months, particularly in April and May. Ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in nutrients. Plant plugs in a diamond pattern for optimal coverage, and maintain consistent watering, especially in the early stages.

The Bottom Line on St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine can take a bit of work to establish, but in my opinion the work is more than worth it. 

St. Augustine grass is easily one of my favorite types of grass for lawns, and 100,000’s of home owners agree!

If caring for St. Augustine is a bit too much work, consider hiring one of the professional lawn care providers on GreenPal. If they do a good job consider giving your service provider a tip!

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