Speaking of plugs, over the weekend I transplanted 30 to 40 plugs with the proplugger 5 in 1 Man was it easy, just using my existing St Aug and placing them in bare spots. Can literally swap 8 plugs in less than 10 min. Watering twice a day hoping they survive. You would definitely need to buy plugs if you have a large area but not on bare spots, Im going to do maybe 50 more this coming weekend.
The one downside I thought might exist with the proplugger compared to using an auger bit in a drill is that you can't really break up the soil with the proplugger. Did you encounter any roots and did the proplugger cut through them.
@@MarkTrades__ I hit some major roots by some pine trees, I just moved over and tried again, it can cut through small roots, so far all of the plugs survived and doing great, runners are indeed slower because I swapped soil and just pushed the grass plugs in, no fert. I made sure the donor grass was by no roots. The roots I encountered were the bare spots, I will be doing more soon, so easy and fast
How come you didn't till the soil with a machine? What do you think about tilling to loosens up the soil, add sand/ composte mixture and then install plugs
Thanks for the vid. Do you have any opinions or experience with cutting pieces of sod into smaller pieces and then installing them like sod plugs? I have a very neglected lawn and have been re-installing st augustine in various areas but only had full sod pieces readily available locally. I rent so I am not trying to do a full sod install in bare areas, and am just trying to get something besides weeds established in bare spots.
@@LKNDIY Yeah that is my main concern. I suppose I will have to monitor the rooting progress of the sod I have cut already and see if its effectively rooting in 2-3 weeks. Apprciate your response!
What would u suggest for me? I have a weed infested lawn at 40% st aug on one side. But I plan on doing a fall/winter pre-emergent as well as early spring. So with that said am I pretty much screwed to put St aug plugs since I’m adding year around weed prevention (pre emerg). Btw I’m in south Florida so I don’t get frost
That’s a great question. I don’t know much about the seasons down there, but my guess is it’s too hot right now to throw down plugs. You want to wait until evenings are not going below 55 degrees or so and the days are not getting into the mid upper 80’s. I’m guessing February would be a good time to put plugs or sod down, Maybe march. This will give some time for your current weeds to die out and your preemergent to keep our new weeds. Preemergent should not effect the plugs too much, and you can always lay down another app of preemergent two weeks after you plug. Hope this helps.
I recently planted plugs and wonder if I should trim the tops supposedly this encourages spreading but I haven’t found info online that confirms this. It seems you plan on doing this how much do you plan on trimming and is it good for spreading?
Update, the proplugger plugs 4" deep all survived and doin well, runners started a week or so after yours tho, so I got the faster start but you won once the plugs were in. I watered once per day. I learned the hard way, never spray for weeds while you have fungus. Celsius and certainty did a number on my yard, I waited toooo late/hot, still learning lol
I like the St. Augustine because it does better than most other grass but I let all the grass grow together because in time the St Augustine takes over. The only place I am struggling to grow grass is under my avocado tree. I think that tree is killing the grass.
The tree well could be absorbing all the nutrients out of the soil there, also, the shade under the tree could be slowing the st Aug down as well. You can always build a bed around the tree where the grass slows to get a uniform look.
Im confused, the link you have posted says 1 tray is 50 bucks.. is that 8 plugs or am i drunk? I need to know what they call a tray, because even Amazon has cetrablue for 32 plugs thats 4 trays for 70 bucks
Great question. 16 plugs in each tray. I would call them directly if you are doing a larger plug grow as they will likely cut you a deal if you’re buying more than 10 trays.
I will get a video out showing that area. I re-injured my back again; my friends and neighbors are helping me mow. It hard for me to walk. It’s been a rough summer
RE: the auger bit - CAUTION - its a great tool, but if you have any decently strong roots in an area that you are using this auger bit, the bit can catch on the root and snap-rotate the drill in your hand and hurt your wrist/arm. (Ask me how I know). I'd reccomend short, quick trigger pulls in order to prevent too much of this rotation from occurring in one movement.
No st Aug Sod where I live, and to transport sod from Florida to Charlotte is a futile endeavor. Plugs are much more hearty and have full root systems.
Very good advice on opening up the plugs and getting some sun and air on them. 👊
Thanks, Allyn!
Speaking of plugs, over the weekend I transplanted 30 to 40 plugs with the proplugger 5 in 1 Man was it easy, just using my existing St Aug and placing them in bare spots. Can literally swap 8 plugs in less than 10 min. Watering twice a day hoping they survive. You would definitely need to buy plugs if you have a large area but not on bare spots, Im going to do maybe 50 more this coming weekend.
Nice! Please let us know how it turns out!
The one downside I thought might exist with the proplugger compared to using an auger bit in a drill is that you can't really break up the soil with the proplugger. Did you encounter any roots and did the proplugger cut through them.
@@MarkTrades__ I hit some major roots by some pine trees, I just moved over and tried again, it can cut through small roots, so far all of the plugs survived and doing great, runners are indeed slower because I swapped soil and just pushed the grass plugs in, no fert. I made sure the donor grass was by no roots. The roots I encountered were the bare spots, I will be doing more soon, so easy and fast
How come you didn't till the soil with a machine? What do you think about tilling to loosens up the soil, add sand/ composte mixture and then install plugs
Looking forward to see the results
Thanks, Ben!
Thanks for the vid. Do you have any opinions or experience with cutting pieces of sod into smaller pieces and then installing them like sod plugs? I have a very neglected lawn and have been re-installing st augustine in various areas but only had full sod pieces readily available locally. I rent so I am not trying to do a full sod install in bare areas, and am just trying to get something besides weeds established in bare spots.
Hi Mark, only challenge with sod is it does not have the strong, established root systems like plugs do. Plugs come with a strong, deep root system.
@@LKNDIY Yeah that is my main concern. I suppose I will have to monitor the rooting progress of the sod I have cut already and see if its effectively rooting in 2-3 weeks. Apprciate your response!
What would u suggest for me? I have a weed infested lawn at 40% st aug on one side. But I plan on doing a fall/winter pre-emergent as well as early spring. So with that said am I pretty much screwed to put St aug plugs since I’m adding year around weed prevention (pre emerg). Btw I’m in south Florida so I don’t get frost
That’s a great question. I don’t know much about the seasons down there, but my guess is it’s too hot right now to throw down plugs. You want to wait until evenings are not going below 55 degrees or so and the days are not getting into the mid upper 80’s. I’m guessing February would be a good time to put plugs or sod down, Maybe march. This will give some time for your current weeds to die out and your preemergent to keep our new weeds. Preemergent should not effect the plugs too much, and you can always lay down another app of preemergent two weeks after you plug. Hope this helps.
Does this have to be on bare ground? or can I plug into a mix of grass and hope this overtakes? Or does that not work
Hi, bare ground is always best for cleanest results
I recently planted plugs and wonder if I should trim the tops supposedly this encourages spreading but I haven’t found info online that confirms this. It seems you plan on doing this how much do you plan on trimming and is it good for spreading?
Yes, it’s great for spreading. You don’t want to take off more than 1/3 of the length of the blade as a general rule.
What’s the best way to plug a existing Bahia lawn?
To plug with st Aug? I’d kill the Bahia then plug over with st Aug after a few weeks
What month did you plant these plugs? Is there a time that’s best to do this?
These were in May, but anytime in spring once the threat of frost is 100% past your area you should throw them in.
Awesome
Update, the proplugger plugs 4" deep all survived and doin well, runners started a week or so after yours tho, so I got the faster start but you won once the plugs were in. I watered once per day. I learned the hard way, never spray for weeds while you have fungus. Celsius and certainty did a number on my yard, I waited toooo late/hot, still learning lol
Thanks for the update! Yes, adding herbicide to damaged grass is the kiss of death
How long before the plugs start to grow and spread out??
About 3-4 months depending on how closely you plant them together.
Not sure if I missed it, but what time of year do you recommend doing this?
Great question! When freezing temps are no longer a threat, this is the best time. In NC late April early May.
@@LKNDIYThanks for the reply. Im new to lawn care and happy to have found your channel. Good luck this year.
Do you find it's cheaper to plant plugs vs laying sod for an area this size?
Great question! Sod is unavailable in my area, this is why I use the plugs.
I like the St. Augustine because it does better than most other grass but I let all the grass grow together because in time the St Augustine takes over. The only place I am struggling to grow grass is under my avocado tree. I think that tree is killing the grass.
The tree well could be absorbing all the nutrients out of the soil there, also, the shade under the tree could be slowing the st Aug down as well. You can always build a bed around the tree where the grass slows to get a uniform look.
Im confused, the link you have posted says 1 tray is 50 bucks.. is that 8 plugs or am i drunk?
I need to know what they call a tray, because even Amazon has cetrablue for 32 plugs thats 4 trays for 70 bucks
Great question. 16 plugs in each tray. I would call them directly if you are doing a larger plug grow as they will likely cut you a deal if you’re buying more than 10 trays.
Can you show us how it’s looking today?
I will get a video out showing that area. I re-injured my back again; my friends and neighbors are helping me mow. It hard for me to walk. It’s been a rough summer
RE: the auger bit - CAUTION - its a great tool, but if you have any decently strong roots in an area that you are using this auger bit, the bit can catch on the root and snap-rotate the drill in your hand and hurt your wrist/arm. (Ask me how I know). I'd reccomend short, quick trigger pulls in order to prevent too much of this rotation from occurring in one movement.
Agree, it is a tricky job!
@@LKNDIY haha yeah but dang even with roots the auger bit sped up my recent job a TON.
I'm ripping up my St Augustine and replacing it with Zoysia. St Augustine takes too many inputs
Hi Richard, All grasses have their pains and upside. Good luck with your project!
Could’ve just re sodded it 😂
No st Aug Sod where I live, and to transport sod from Florida to Charlotte is a futile endeavor. Plugs are much more hearty and have full root systems.