Planting St. Augustinegrass Sod: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Kill all weeds with non-selective herbicide 2 weeks before planting.
2. Till soil 6 inches deep, mixing in recommended lime/fertilizer (1-800-ASKUGA-1).
3. If no soil test: dig in 50 lbs lime + 20 lbs 5-10-15 fertilizer per 1,000 sq ft. Cover with 1-inch compost layer. Mix thoroughly.
4. Rake smooth, remove rocks, clumps, debris.
5. Roll with water-filled roller to reveal low spots.
6. Fill low spots with soil.
7. Important: Irrigate ¼–½ inch night before laying sod. Soil should be damp.
8. Start along longest straight edge, lay sod end-to-end.
9. Ensure each piece is tightly placed against neighbor.
10. Stagger seams in adjacent rows.
11. Trim with hatchet/sharp shovel for obstructions.
12. Roll entire area again for good sod-to-soil contact.
13. Water thoroughly (see schedule below).

Watering

Best time: morning before noon. Account for rainfall. Check georgiadrought.org for restrictions.

How to Measure Sprinkler Output

1. 6 identical containers randomly in sprinkler pattern.
2. Weight plastic cups with heavy washer.
3. Run 1 hour.
4. Measure depth, average = inches/hour.
5. Calculate run time for 1 inch.
6. Expect >1 hour.

New Sod Watering Schedule

• 1 inch immediately after laying.
• Daily to keep top 1 inch moist (not soggy) until rooted. Tug gently to check. Soggy = root disease.
• After rooting: ¼ inch every 3rd day × 9 days.
• Then: ½ inch every 5th day × 10 days.
• Then: 1 inch/week rest of growing season.
• No water if rainfall sufficient.
• (Use judgment; amounts vary by planting season.)

Soil-Specific Tips

• Trowel check water penetration.
• Heavy clay: slow absorption. Runoff? Split into 2 sessions 1 hour apart.
• Sandy soil: fast absorption, quick drying. Split weekly 1 inch into two ½-inch applications 3 days apart.