Establishing a new lawn or repairing a damaged area involves choosing between seeding, laying down mature sod, or planting grass plugs. Grass plugs offer a middle-ground solution, leveraging the maturity of turfgrass while providing control over the planting process. Understanding this option can lead to a successful and cost-effective outcome, especially when dealing with specific grass types. This method involves transplanting small, individual turf plants to gradually achieve a dense, uniform expanse of grass.
Defining Grass Plugs and How They Differ from Sod
Grass plugs are small, individual portions of turf grown in controlled conditions, often sold in trays like bedding plants. Each plug consists of grass blades, a small amount of soil, and an established, healthy root system. These small plants are typically between 1.5 and 3 inches in diameter and provide a head start compared to planting seeds.
The primary distinction between plugs and sod lies in coverage and size. Sod is a continuous, mature layer of turf, complete with soil and roots, that provides an instant lawn upon installation. Plugs are planted at intervals and are expected to spread over several months to fill the bare soil between them.
Unlike seeds, which are the most cost-effective, plugs offer mature plants that establish more quickly and are less prone to erosion. This approach relies on the grass’s natural lateral growth—via stolons or rhizomes—to create a fully connected turf.
Key Advantages of Choosing Plugs
Choosing grass plugs is often motivated by economic considerations, as they require less upfront material than covering the entire area with sod. For large areas, the cost savings can be substantial, making lawn renovation more budget-friendly. This method is well-suited for establishing warm-season grasses like Zoysia, Bermuda, or St. Augustine, which spread well but are often expensive or unavailable as seed.
Plugs offer a greater establishment success rate than seed in challenging environments, such as on slopes or in high-wind areas. Since the plugs are mature plants with existing root systems, they anchor into the soil more effectively, reducing soil erosion. They are also an excellent choice for repairing localized damaged spots or testing a new grass variety. The mature root structure provides natural weed suppression, as the growing grass crowds out space for new weed seedlings.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Successful plug installation begins with preparing the soil to ensure a healthy environment for root growth. Performing a soil test is recommended to determine pH and nutrient levels, allowing for necessary amendments. The planting area must be cleared of debris, weeds, and old grass to prevent competition with the new plugs.
Once the soil is prepared, mark the planting locations based on the desired spacing. Spacing typically ranges from 6 to 18 inches apart; tighter spacing (6 to 9 inches) leads to faster coverage, while wider spacing (12 to 18 inches) is more economical but requires more time. Use a specialized plugger tool or an auger bit attached to a drill to quickly create holes matching the size of the plug’s root ball.
Plant the plugs firmly into the holes, ensuring the top of the turf is level with or slightly below the surrounding soil surface. Avoid planting the plug too deeply, which can smother the crown of the plant. Some gardeners place a small amount of phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer into the hole before planting to give the root system a nutrient boost. After installation, firm any loose soil around the plug gently to eliminate air pockets and ensure good root-to-soil contact.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Immediately following installation, new grass plugs require frequent, light watering to reduce transplant shock and encourage establishment. For the first two weeks, keep the soil around the plugs consistently moist, which may require watering once or twice daily depending on the climate. This frequent watering contrasts with the deep, infrequent schedule recommended for a mature lawn.
After the initial establishment period (about 10 to 20 days), gradually reduce the watering frequency and increase the duration to encourage deeper root growth. This transition forces the roots to search deeper for moisture, leading to a more resilient, drought-tolerant turf. Apply a starter fertilizer, high in phosphorus, about one month after planting to promote the lateral spread of the grass.
Weed control is a consideration, as the bare soil between the plugs allows weeds to grow. Hand-pulling is the safest method during the initial establishment phase, as most chemical herbicides can damage the young turf. Mowing can begin once the plugs are firmly rooted (usually around one month after planting) and should be done gently at a slightly higher-than-normal height to encourage horizontal spread.