How to Prepare the Lawn for St. Augustine Grass Sod

St. Augustine is a turfgrass especially suitable for warmer climates. It does well in partial shade but also tolerates heat. It does not thrive in areas with cold winters and needs to be watered during times of drought. A healthy St. Augustine lawn will choke out weeds, reducing the maintenance required to keep a yard looking neat and clean. While St. Augustine grass can be propagated from plugs, an easier way is to use sod. However, sod needs the soil to be properly prepared before it is installed.

Rake
Weed killer
Rototiller
Shovel or spade

Instructions

- 1
  Remove existing plants and debris from the site. This includes such obvious items as bricks or large rocks, but also the removal of buried tree limbs or stumps. If left in place, depressions will develop as the wood rots, leaving the lawn uneven and difficult to mow. Remove any gravel or small rocks from the top two inches of soil.
- 2
  Kill any grass or weeds in the area in which you plan to grow St. Augustine grass before laying the sod. You can eliminate annuals by tilling the lawn, while more stubborn perennials may need an herbicide such as methyl bromide. Do not use a pre-emergent because it can have a negative impact on the new grass, which is already stressed.
- 3
  Till the soil to a minimum depth of 4 inches. If the soil is heavily compacted, increase this to 6 inches. A loose soil that is free of clods will allow the St. Augustine roots to become established in less time.
- 4
  Level the lawn once the soil is prepared. Eliminate any depressions or high spots so that water will drain properly. You are then ready to install your sod.

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