Planting Time

• Palmetto St. Augustine grass is best planted in northeastern Florida during the warm months of the year when the grass actively grows. Avoid planting any St. Augustine grass in St. Johns County during the winter and the hottest part of summer, from June to September. Ideally, plant Palmetto anytime from late March to late May, or in late September to late October. The main concern during the hot Florida growing season is irrigating newly planted grass to prevent the roots from drying out during the first 30 to 60 days of establishment.
  
  

Planting Options

• Palmetto grass cannot be established from seed. The most expensive but instant planting option for Palmetto is laying cut sod. Sodding virtually eliminates any threat of weed seed germination. Alternative, less expensive but more labor intensive options include sprigging or plugging. These involve small plants of Palmetto grass being individually planted equal distances across a plot of ground. As these plants sprout their horizontal stolon stems, the bare soil begins to fill in to create a green carpet.
  
  

Importance of Irrigation

• In the sandy soils of St. Johns County, a reliable irrigation system is needed to ensure newly planted Palmetto grass does not dry out, especially if planting in summer occurs. Even with daily summer thunderstorms, multiple irrigation waterings may be needed to ensure newly planted sod, sprigs or plugs to not bake in the intense sun. Short, five- to 10-minute waterings every few hours for the first seven to 10 days ensures the roots never dry out as they begin to grow into the topsoil. From the second to fourth weeks after planting, water two to three times daily, providing 1/2 inch of water. When daytime temperatures remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, Palmetto grass's root system is well established in about 30 days. Then, irrigate only as needed to supplement natural rainfall to keep the lawn from showing signs of drought stress.
  
  

Other Establishment Tips

• Do not mow newly planted Palmetto St. Augustine grass until at least 14 days after planting and the sod, sprigs or plugs have "pegged," or netted roots out into the soil so you cannot easily pull up the grass. Pegging time varies depending on soil temperatures and moisture availability. Mow 3 1/2 to 4 inches tall to encourage an even deeper root system; do not cut too short or scalp the lawn as it causes stress. The first fertilizer application may be done 30 to 60 days after planting, at a rate no more than 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Read product label directions and always apply fertilizer to moist soil, and water the granules in immediately after scattering atop the Palmetto lawn.