Grass squares, often called grass plugs, are small, pre-grown sections of turf typically measuring between two and four inches in diameter. This planting method is used for establishing warm-season grasses, like Bermuda or Zoysia, that naturally spread via stolons and rhizomes. Using plugs allows a homeowner to establish a lawn cost-effectively over several months compared to the immediate expense of full sodding. This technique is also effective for repairing isolated bare patches in an existing lawn or introducing a new grass type.
Preparing the Ground for Planting
Successful establishment begins with thorough preparation of the planting site, starting with the removal of weeds, debris, and rocks from the designated area. It is necessary to loosen the underlying soil structure to a depth of at least four to six inches to ensure new roots can penetrate easily and deeply. If the native soil is heavy clay or excessively sandy, incorporating a two-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost or screened topsoil, will improve both drainage and nutrient retention.
Amending the soil provides an environment for the plugs to anchor and begin their lateral spread across the bare ground. Before planting, a layout plan is necessary to determine the required number of plugs and ensure uniform coverage as the grass grows. The ideal spacing for plugs generally ranges from six to eighteen inches apart, depending on the grass species’ aggressiveness and the desired rate of full coverage. Using a measured string line or a grid pattern helps maintain consistent spacing and avoid patchy growth.
Planting the Grass Squares
Once the ground is prepared and marked, create appropriately sized holes for the plugs. Each hole must be slightly wider than the plug’s soil mass and exactly the same depth to ensure the entire root ball is encased in soil. A specialized planting tool or a hand trowel can be used to excavate the soil, maintaining a consistent hole size across the entire grid.
The grass square is placed firmly into the prepared hole, ensuring the top of the plug’s grass blades sits flush with the surrounding soil surface. If the plug is planted too deep, the crown may be buried, hindering growth; if too high, it will dry out quickly and impede mowing later. After placement, gently pressing down on the plug ensures maximum root-to-soil contact and eliminates any air pockets beneath the root mass. Air pockets can quickly desiccate the roots by preventing the transfer of moisture from the surrounding soil into the plug.
Initial Care and Establishment
Immediately following planting, the new squares require a frequent watering schedule to prevent desiccation and encourage root growth. For the first seven to ten days, the plugs should receive several light applications of water daily, keeping the shallow root zone consistently moist but never saturated. This light, frequent moisture regime is necessary because the small root mass of the plug cannot yet access deeper moisture reserves in the soil.
The watering schedule should gradually transition to less frequent but deeper soakings over the next few weeks. This change encourages the roots to grow downward into the native soil, establishing a more resilient root system. Avoid all foot traffic on the newly planted area for at least the first three to four weeks to prevent soil compaction and the physical dislodging of the fragile, unanchored squares.
A starter fertilizer, characterized by a higher concentration of phosphorus (the middle number in the NPK ratio), should be applied shortly after planting to stimulate robust root development. Phosphorus plays a direct role in energy transfer within the plant and is responsible for root growth. Delay the first mowing until the plugs show noticeable new growth and are firmly rooted, typically around three weeks post-planting, setting the mower height higher than normal to avoid stressing the young grass.