St. Augustine sod is a popular warm-season grass known for its broad, flat leaf blades and characteristic dense, carpet-like growth. This turf variety thrives in warm, humid climates and is valued for its ability to tolerate moderate shade better than many other turfgrasses. Establishing a healthy, uniform lawn requires thorough ground preparation and immediate, attentive post-installation care. These steps ensure the turf can quickly transition from harvest to a permanent, flourishing lawn.
Preparing the Ground for Installation
Successful root establishment requires a prepared soil bed to encourage rapid growth. Eliminate existing vegetation by applying a non-selective herbicide about 10 to 14 days before installation. Once the old turf and weeds are dead, remove all debris by raking or using a sod cutter. This ensures the new sod makes direct contact with the underlying soil.
The soil should be tilled to a depth of three to six inches to loosen compaction and allow for easy root penetration. St. Augustine grass roots need an oxygen supply in the soil to thrive, and tilling prevents the dense, anaerobic conditions that inhibit growth. This is the optimal time to collect a soil sample for testing, which will reveal the existing pH level and nutrient profile. St. Augustine prefers a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, and the test results will guide necessary soil amendments.
If the soil test indicates a need for nutrients, incorporate a phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer into the top layer of soil. Following amendment, the entire area must be graded to ensure a smooth, even surface, preventing low spots where water might collect and cause rot. The final soil level should sit approximately one inch below paved surfaces, such as sidewalks or driveways, to accommodate the thickness of the sod.
The Step-by-Step Installation Process
Installation should begin immediately upon delivery of the St. Augustine sod, as the harvested turf begins to dry out quickly once it is unrolled. The first row should be laid along a straight edge, such as a driveway or flowerbed, to establish a clean reference line. Each slab of sod should be placed carefully onto the prepared soil, ensuring the edges are tightly butted against one another without overlapping.
Subsequent rows must be laid in a staggered pattern, similar to the bricks in a wall, so that the seams do not form a long, continuous line across the lawn. This technique helps to prevent erosion along the seams and promotes a more stable, unified root mass as the turf establishes. Avoid stretching the sod pieces during placement, which can cause the pieces to shrink back later, creating gaps. When laying sod on slopes, place the strips perpendicularly to the slope, which reduces the chance of slippage during watering.
Odd shapes, edges, and curved areas require the sod to be cut precisely using a sharp tool, such as a utility knife or a landscape edger. Press all seams together firmly to eliminate any gaps and ensure the best possible moisture retention. Once all the sod has been placed, gently roll the entire area with a water-filled sod roller. This rolling action eliminates air pockets trapped between the sod and the soil, guaranteeing the necessary contact for the roots to begin growing downward.
Critical Post-Installation Watering and Care
Immediate, deep watering is required after laying the St. Augustine sod to prevent desiccation and relieve transplant shock. Within 30 minutes of laying the final piece, thoroughly soak the entire area until the soil beneath the sod is moist to a depth of three to four inches. This initial saturation settles the sod and ensures that the root zone has immediate access to water.
For the first 7 to 10 days, keep the sod and topsoil constantly moist, which usually requires watering multiple times a day. Two to three short watering sessions daily, typically in the early morning and late afternoon, are often needed to maintain the moist consistency of the topsoil. Monitor the edges and seams, as these exposed areas tend to dry out faster than the center of the sod slabs.
After the initial establishment period, gradually reduce the watering frequency while increasing the duration of each session. This transition, beginning around day 10 to 14, encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Before the first mowing, the sod should resist gentle lifting, indicating that the new roots have anchored firmly into the soil. The initial cut should only remove the top third of the grass blade to avoid stressing the new turf.