St. Augustine sod is a popular choice for Texas homeowners because it handles intense heat and tolerates light to moderate shade, making it a versatile turfgrass. Successfully establishing this grass requires careful preparation and adherence to a strict watering schedule, which differs from standard lawn care. This guide outlines the specific steps necessary to install St. Augustine sod so it can thrive. The process begins with preparing the existing ground to ensure a healthy foundation for the new lawn.
Preparing the Ground for Installation
The success of new sod depends almost entirely on the soil beneath it, which must be properly prepared before the sod arrives. All existing vegetation, including old grass and weeds, must be completely removed, often requiring a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate to eliminate competitive growth. After clearing the area, the soil should be tilled to a depth of four to six inches. Tilling loosens compacted clay, common in Texas, allowing for better root penetration and water infiltration.
Grading the area is necessary to ensure proper drainage, preventing water from pooling and causing root rot, a risk for St. Augustine grass. The ground should gently slope away from any structures, ideally at a gradient of one to two percent, to direct water runoff. The final grade must be smoothed and firmed. The soil surface should sit approximately one inch below sidewalks, driveways, or other paved surfaces to account for the thickness of the sod layer.
Incorporating soil amendments is beneficial, especially in heavy Texas clay or nutrient-poor sandy soils. A two to three-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, should be spread over the area and thoroughly tilled into the topsoil. This organic material improves soil structure and moisture retention, offering the new roots a healthier environment. Applying a phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer, like a 10-20-10 ratio, and lightly raking it into the soil encourages robust root development before the sod is laid.
Proper Sod Laying Techniques
Once the soil is prepared and level, the physical installation of the sod must be done quickly, as St. Augustine pieces can dry out rapidly. Begin laying the sod along the longest, straightest edge of the area, such as a driveway or property line, to establish a clean starting point. Laying the sod in a brick-like pattern is essential for stability and to prevent water erosion.
The seams of the sod pieces must be tightly butted against one another, ensuring there are no gaps where the edges can dry out or where weeds can push through. Avoid overlapping pieces, as this creates uneven surfaces and hinders root-to-soil contact. Use a sharp utility knife, box cutter, or spade to trim pieces for fitting around curves, sprinkler heads, or flowerbeds. Ensure all cuts are clean to reduce drying.
After all the sod is laid, the entire area must be rolled with a water-filled lawn roller to press the sod firmly against the prepared soil. This rolling process removes air pockets between the sod and the soil, which is a common cause of death in new sod. Rolling ensures maximum root-to-soil contact. Immediate and thorough watering is the final step, transitioning directly into the establishment phase.
Critical Initial Watering and Establishment
The period immediately following installation is the most important for the survival of St. Augustine sod, requiring a precise and intense watering regimen distinct from standard lawn care. The new sod must receive a deep watering immediately after it is laid to thoroughly soak the sod and the top three to four inches of the underlying soil. This initial saturation prevents the roots from drying out and begins the establishment process.
For the first seven to ten days, the goal is to keep the sod and soil consistently moist, requiring watering once or twice a day, usually in the early morning. This frequent, shallow watering prevents the thin layer of sod from dehydrating and keeps the root zone damp. After the first week, reduce the watering frequency to once daily for the second week. However, the duration should be increased to encourage roots to grow deeper into the prepared soil.
During the third and fourth weeks, the watering schedule should transition to deep, less frequent applications, such as every two to three days, depending on the weather and soil type. This change forces the roots to stretch downward in search of moisture, which is necessary for long-term drought tolerance. To check for root establishment, gently lift a corner of a sod piece. If it offers resistance, the roots have begun to anchor, and the watering frequency can be further reduced toward a long-term schedule.
Long-Term Maintenance for Texas Climates
Once the St. Augustine sod has established its root system, typically after four to six weeks, the focus shifts to long-term care. Mowing should begin as soon as the grass grows slightly above the recommended height, which is three to four inches for St. Augustine. Never remove more than one-third of the blade height during any single mowing. This avoids stressing the turf and encourages dense, lateral growth.
Fertilization should commence about six to eight weeks after installation, once the grass is actively growing, using a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. St. Augustine grass generally requires three to four pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually, spread across the growing season. Proper water management is a year-round concern. Established St. Augustine prefers deep, infrequent watering, aiming for about one to one and a half inches per week during the summer, which encourages drought resistance.
Homeowners must remain vigilant for common pests and diseases that thrive in warm, humid conditions. Brown patch fungus often appears in the fall, identified by circular, brown patches where the leaves easily pull away from the runner. This fungus can be discouraged by avoiding afternoon or evening watering. Chinch bugs are a serious pest that thrive in hot, dry areas, causing irregular patches of yellow or brown grass that do not respond to watering. Immediate treatment with a labeled insecticide is necessary to prevent turf loss.