St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turf variety valued in warmer climates for its broad, flat blades and tolerance to heat. This grass spreads via above-ground runners, called stolons, which quickly create a dense, attractive lawn. Achieving a successful establishment of St. Augustine sod depends on installing it at the correct time of year. Proper timing ensures the sod’s root system can immediately begin growing into the underlying soil.
Optimal Planting Seasons
The most favorable time to install St. Augustine sod is during its period of active growth, from late spring through mid-summer. As a warm-season species, the grass requires high temperatures to quickly establish root-to-soil contact. The soil temperature, measured at a depth of four to six inches, should be consistently above 65°F for the sod to root rapidly.
The ideal range for vigorous root and stolon growth is when soil temperatures are between 70°F and 80°F. Planting during this window allows the new roots to develop a deep, extensive system before the stresses of summer heat arrive. This quick rooting process reduces the chance of the sod drying out or succumbing to disease.
A secondary window for planting is early fall, provided there are at least 60 to 90 days before the first expected frost. This timing allows the roots to take hold in the cooling soil, but the grass will slow its growth as it approaches dormancy. Avoid planting St. Augustine sod in late fall or throughout the winter. Planting when soil temperatures are below 65°F causes the sod to go dormant before rooting, resulting in poor establishment and likely failure.
Pre-Installation Site Preparation
The success of new sod is determined by the quality of the soil bed prepared before installation. All existing vegetation, including weeds and old turf, must be removed to eliminate competition for water and nutrients. Using a non-selective herbicide, such as a glyphosate-based product, ten to fourteen days before installation is an effective method for clearing the area.
After the existing material is removed, the soil must be tilled or loosened to a depth of four to six inches. This promotes deep root penetration into the native soil. Soil can be amended with organic matter like compost to improve drainage in clay-heavy soils and water retention in sandy soils.
Proper grading is required to ensure surface water drains away from structures and does not pool in low areas, which can lead to fungal issues. The soil surface should be smooth and firm, leveled so that it sits approximately one inch below adjacent hard surfaces like sidewalks or driveways. This allows the sod thickness to create a surface flush with the surrounding concrete or pavement. Only after the site is fully prepared and leveled should the sod be ordered, ensuring it is laid immediately upon delivery to prevent drying out and overheating.
Immediate Post-Planting Care
The care regimen immediately following installation focuses on providing continuous moisture to facilitate root establishment. New St. Augustine sod must be thoroughly soaked immediately after laying it down, ensuring the water penetrates the sod layer and the top four to six inches of underlying soil. This initial saturation prevents the grass from going into shock and initiates the rooting process.
For the first ten to fourteen days, the new sod requires intensive watering, often multiple times a day. Watering two to four times daily for short durations, such as five to ten minutes per cycle, keeps the sod and underlying soil moist without becoming waterlogged. This ensures the newly forming roots have constant access to hydration.
After the initial two weeks, when you can no longer easily lift a corner of the sod due to new white roots emerging, the watering frequency should be gradually reduced. This reduction encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil as they chase the receding moisture line. Avoid foot traffic during the establishment period, as pressure can break the new roots and interrupt the sod’s ability to knit to the soil. The first mowing should occur only after the sod is firmly rooted, typically around ten to fourteen days, and should be done at the highest setting on the mower.