Transplanting grass is a common practice used to repair damaged lawns, establish turf in new areas, or switch grass species. Successfully moving grass requires careful consideration of both the technique and the timing to minimize shock and encourage rapid root establishment. When executed properly, this process quickly transforms bare patches into a uniform, healthy lawn.
Determining the Best Time for Transplanting
The ideal timing for moving grass depends on whether the species is a cool-season or a warm-season variety, aligning the transplant with the plant’s period of most active root growth. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, should be transplanted in the late summer or early fall. This timing allows roots to establish themselves in the still-warm soil before winter dormancy. Although early spring is a secondary option, fall is preferred because it minimizes weed competition and provides a longer cool growing period. Conversely, warm-season grasses, including Bermuda and Zoysia, perform best when transplanted in the late spring or early summer. Planting during this time ensures the grass has the entire hot season to establish a robust root system before cooler temperatures arrive.
Different Methods for Moving Grass
Sodding
The most common method for immediate, large-scale coverage is sodding, which involves laying large, intact rolls of turf and soil sliced from a donor site. Sod provides an instant, mature lawn, but it is typically the most expensive option and requires significant initial labor. This method is popular for areas that cannot be left bare.
Plugging
Plugging involves transplanting small, individual chunks of grass, often 2×2 inches in size, into the new area. Plugs are frequently used to repair small, damaged sections or to establish aggressively spreading warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermuda. These pieces are typically spaced in a grid pattern, often 12 inches apart, and the grass spreads to fill the gaps over one to two growing seasons.
Sprigging
The most cost-effective and labor-intensive option is sprigging or dividing, which uses individual runners or small pieces of stolons and rhizomes. This method is effective for spreading grasses, as it plants the vegetative parts of the plant rather than a soil-filled plug. Sprigging requires the most patience because it takes the longest for the grass to fully cover the area, but it allows a large area to be covered from a small amount of donor grass.
Essential Care After Transplanting
Proper aftercare ensures the transplanted grass successfully anchors into the new soil and survives the process. The most important step immediately following transplantation is heavy, consistent watering to settle the soil around the roots and prevent drying. For the first week, the grass should be watered multiple times daily to keep the top three inches of soil consistently moist. After the first week, gradually reduce the watering frequency but increase the duration of each session to encourage roots to grow deeper. Avoid all foot traffic for at least the first two weeks, as pressure can disrupt new root connections. Delay the first mowing until the grass blades reach three inches and the roots have begun to knit into the soil. Fertilization should also be delayed for several weeks, with a starter fertilizer applied only after the grass shows signs of new growth.