Bermuda grass is a warm-season turf species known for its aggressive lateral growth. Establishing a lawn using the plugging method involves transplanting small, live pieces of turf into bare or thin areas of an existing or new lawn. This technique is often preferred over seeding because it provides an immediate, established root system, resulting in faster coverage and reduced vulnerability to washouts. Plugging offers a cost-effective alternative to laying down full sod, utilizing the turf’s natural spreading ability to achieve a thick, uniform stand.
Choosing Plugs and Optimal Timing
Healthy plugs should exhibit dense root systems, indicating a higher probability of immediate establishment and rapid development of new runners. Plugs should be sourced from a reputable nursery to ensure the quality and cultivar of the turf. Purchasing plugs from a known source also confirms the specific Bermuda cultivar.
Bermuda grass requires active growth for successful transplanting, which is why timing is a major factor in establishment success. The optimal period for plugging is generally late spring through mid-summer, specifically when soil temperatures consistently reach 65°F (18°C) or higher at a depth of four inches. Planting when the grass is actively spreading maximizes the speed at which the stolons and rhizomes can colonize the surrounding soil.
Plugging during the cool seasons or when the grass is dormant is inefficient because the plant focuses its energy on survival rather than lateral growth. Cold soil temperatures slow down or halt the metabolic processes necessary for root development and runner extension.
Site Preparation and Necessary Equipment
Before planting begins, clearing the area of existing weeds and debris is necessary to reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients. A non-selective herbicide can be applied several weeks prior, or physical removal like hand-weeding or shallow tilling can be performed. Understanding the soil’s current condition is also helpful.
Soil pH for Bermuda grass should ideally range between 5.8 and 7.0; amendments like lime or sulfur can be incorporated to adjust this balance. Lightly tilling the top inch or two of soil, or performing core aeration, helps ensure good root-to-soil contact by loosening compacted soil and allowing for better water infiltration.
The primary tool for this project is a specialized plugger, which removes a uniform cylinder of soil, creating a hole perfectly sized for the new plug. Other necessary items include a bucket to transport the plugs, initial soil amendments or starter fertilizer, and a tamper or roller for securing the plugs into the prepared ground.
Step-by-Step Installation Technique
Proper spacing of the plugs directly influences the time it takes for the lawn to achieve full coverage. For faster establishment, plugs should be spaced approximately six inches apart in a staggered pattern across the area. While spacing can be extended to 12 inches, this significantly delays the complete knitting of the turf, even though the staggered pattern helps runners meet evenly and minimizes large gaps.
Use the plugger tool to remove a core of soil from the prepared area where each new plug will be placed. The depth of the hole must be matched precisely to the depth of the plug to ensure the turf crown sits level with the surrounding soil surface; inserting the plug too deep will bury the crown, while placing it too high leaves the roots exposed to drying out.
Carefully place the grass plug into the newly created hole, ensuring the root mass is nestled firmly against the bottom and sides of the cutout. Once the plug is seated, the surrounding soil must be firmed up to eliminate any air pockets.
Air pockets around the roots can cause desiccation and lead to plug failure. Firming can be accomplished by stepping lightly on the plug or using the back of a shovel or tamper. This ensures the plug is stable and the soil particles are in direct contact with the root mass, and this technique is repeated across the entire area until the desired density is achieved.
Post-Installation Care for Successful Spread
Immediate and consistent moisture is required for the first few weeks after planting to prevent desiccation stress. For the initial two to three weeks, watering should be frequent—perhaps two to three times daily—but shallow, keeping only the top inch of soil consistently moist. This regimen supports root establishment without creating saturated conditions that could lead to fungal disease.
After the initial establishment phase, the watering schedule should gradually transition to deeper, less frequent irrigation. This encourages the roots to grow downward, creating a more drought-tolerant and robust turf system. The goal is to apply about one inch of water per week, factoring in any natural rainfall, once the plugs show signs of new growth.
A light application of a high-nitrogen starter fertilizer can be applied one to two weeks after installation, as nitrogen promotes the development of stolons and rhizomes, accelerating the spread of the Bermuda grass. Avoid heavy fertilization, which can burn the newly transplanted plugs and impede development.
Wait to perform the first mow until the plugs have visibly begun to spread and show significant new growth. When mowing, maintain a relatively low height, which is characteristic for Bermuda grass, to encourage horizontal growth and density. With proper care, the Bermuda grass plugs typically knit together and achieve full coverage within 60 to 90 days, depending on the initial spacing and environmental conditions.