As much as St. Augustine grass lawns are becoming more popular, their costly nature turns away some individuals. However, if you know how to transplant St. Augustine grass runners, the process becomes easier.
With St. Augustine, you are assured of a smooth and even turf. Not only does it tolerate extremely high temperatures, but it also retains its green color longer than other grasses. It’s very common in coastal regions because it has good salt tolerance.
Other than being tolerant with salt, it also tolerates shade. This is one of the main reasons people choose it over Bermuda grass. This makes it possible to comfortably relax under a tree with the smooth turf underneath. As if that wasn’t enough, it grows tight enough to allow moderate foot traffic.
With that said, this article will cover how to get your lawn looking great with the St. Augustine grass runners.
How to Transplant the Grass Runners Step by Step
Step 1: Site Preparation
Before transplanting St. Augustine grass, you need to ensure the lawn you are transferring them to is prepared. First, you should ensure the soil is healthy by adding organic matter and slow-acting fertilizer. Also, you should ensure that any drainage issues have been resolved. You can do this by re-grading the soil.
Another hindrance to a great lawn is weeds. You should, therefore, uproot all of them beforehand. Additionally, you should rake the area. By doing this, you will not only level the ground but also get rid of sticks, rocks, and debris that may hinder growth.
Step 2: Rip up the St. Augustine Grass Runners
Take hold of the grass runners and cut them. While cutting, ensure you include both the tiny roots and the crown. This way, the grass will sprout with these parts intact. The appropriate length to cut is 4″ to 6″.
This process is known as sprigging. You can easily get the grass runners from your lawn or a generous neighbor’s lawn. By doing this, you save on costs that could have been spent to purchase stolon/runner cuttings.
It would be best to immediately replant the St Augustine grass runners once you remove them from their initial soil. Failure to do this will result in the roots drying out and deteriorating.
Step 3: Dig a Furrow
To prepare an appropriate furrow, use a spade. Dig two-inch deep furrows. You should avoid turning over the soil as you normally would when digging with a hoe. The furrows should be 4-12 inches apart.
Step 4: Plant the Sprigs
After digging the furrow, place the cut-out of every stolon to the ground. Do this in a manner that the roots are properly buried and the foliage is above ground. Also, each sprig should be planted individually.
Step 5: Stem the Soil in
Smooth over the furrow by stepping on the soil. This will ensure the ground is level and the roots are properly covered. Alternatively, you may opt to cover up with straw mulch. This way, you can retain the soil’s moisture.
Step 6: Maintenance
Proper care should be taken for the grass runners to be properly established. You can do this by adequately watering the lawn. Watering should be done immediately after you complete planting St. Augustine grass runners. This is because when left in soil that is hot and dry, runners will dry up fast.
Follow-up care should include daily watering for the first week. Once two weeks are over, you can start watering the plants twice every week. Normally, the runners take root after two weeks which allows for this change in watering frequency.
After How Long do St. Augustine Runners Spread?
As https://www.drrrunkshopping.com mentioned, it takes about two weeks for these runners to properly anchor to the ground. They then start growing and spread all over your lawn. However, you will notice its growth rate is a bit slow.
When you compare how fast the St. Augustine runners spread to how Bermuda grass spreads, you notice Bermuda spreads faster.
The reason Bermuda grass grows faster is that it contains both rhizomes and stolon, while St. Augustine grass only contains stolon. Stolons are above-ground runners, while rhizomes are below-ground runners.
Other than that, opting for sprigging as a method to grow your new lawn is naturally a slower alternative when compared to seeding, plugging, or sodding. As much as it takes two weeks to start spreading, it may be months before the runners spread to the entire lawn.
While this method is slower, it is cheaper. Therefore, if you wish to save money and have the patience to let it grow, it’s the best option. Besides, there are a couple of steps that can be taken to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly. They include;
- Planting more runners
- Irrigating regularly
- Mowing the grass to the proper height (3.5-4 inches)
- Applying phosphorus-laden fertilizers
FAQs
Can you grow St. Augustine grass from runners?
Yes, it’s possible to grow St. Augustine grass from runners. You may transplant the grass from your front yard to your backyard. You can also plant it on bare spots on either yard. However, it is best that you plant the runners immediately you cut them. Once they get dry, it will be difficult to plant them. Also, the soil you use should be well-aerated.
Should you pull runners in St. Augustine grass?
Usually, the runners crawl horizontally along the soil’s surface. They are not easy to spot unless they appear on bare spots. Since these runners can grow very long, they can become a nuisance. The best way to handle them is by mowing the grass. If you don’t want a large part of the grass blades to be cut off, as you target top runners, mow as high as you can.
When can I transplant St. Augustine grass?
The best time to transplant St. Augustine grass is during spring and summer. Target when the temperatures are 80-100°F.
Spring is a great time since the semi-dormancy period warm seasons were in is ending. This allows runners to take root faster than they would in winter. Summer is also favorable, but adequate care should be taken during establishment. The grass should be kept moist to avoid a scenario where it dries out.
CONCLUSION
If you grow St. Augustine grass on your lawn, it’s important that you maintain the lawn properly. Once your lawn is fully established, you may notice stray runners growing on top of grass blades. This means you have a thatching issue between the base of your blades and the topsoil.
You can remedy this by dethatching and aerating your lawn. Once you know how to transplant St. Augustine runners properly, you can avoid this and other potential problems caused by poor groundwork. With the above guide, you have a great head start.
