Sprigging and plugging your lawn could be one of the best ways to help it fill out during the warmer months when seeding isnt ideal and sod isnt an option. Sprigging, sometimes called stolonizing, is a process in which grass stems with linked roots and grass blades are attached to each other. A plug, by comparison, is a small cut portion of sod thats placed into an open area. Sod tends to include numerous blades of grass with a small base layer of soil, allowing for the placement into an open area.
The most common reason for using either method is to help establish grass in an area where its not growing. If the kids left toys out in the yard for too long, the space under them could have become damaged and bare. Other times, you may be removing a landscape bed and want to fill in that open space with a new lawn. These methods work well to help establish grass in those areas, especially when its the warmer part of the year. Though its always best to try to grow grass during the spring months due to higher moisture and less intense sunlight, plugging and sprigging can be done anytime with a bit of care.
Typically, garden centers and specialized growers offer sprigs or plugs in bundles, allowing for the repair of lawns throughout the year. Keep in mind that youll want to consider the lawn species type and your local environment before choosing these.
Sprigging involves planting vegetative pieces, such as stolons (aboveground stems) and rhizomes (underground stems), of a desired grass into the soil. These vegetative pieces will root and grow together to establish a lawn.
How and went to use plugs
Most often, warm-season grasses can be purchased in either form, and the one you select depends on what youre looking for in the finished lawn. For example, if you have a few bare patches of dirt that you want to fill in, using plugs tends to be better. Its much like a cut-and-paste process of positioning them to fill in the blanks. With plugs, the results are typically immediate, though youll need to provide them with care over time to ensure the grass is established.
Plugs are usually a couple of inches across and tend to be sold in a flat of 12 to 18, though your local garden shop may be a bit different. When choosing this method, find out how many square feet of space the product will cover and choose accordingly. Youll need to place them between 6 and 12 inches from each other, and the area in between will fill out over time.
Prior to establishing them, tend to the existing soil, ensuring all dead matter or chemical damage present is removed, and the nutrient level is good for the grass species you are installing. Then, loosen the dirt to allow for an easy transplant. Moisten the soil, dig holes about every 6 to 12 inches, and plant the plugs as you would flowers. Press the plug into the ground or use a lawn roller when doing a larger area. Keep it moist for the next two weeks.
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FAQ
When would you use sprigging?
Why is sprigging important on the golf course?
What is the meaning of sprigging?
What does sprigging the greens mean?
What is sprigging a plant?
Sprigging is the planting of sprigs, plant sections cut from rhizomes or stolons that includes crowns and roots, at spaced intervals in furrows or holes. Depending on the environment, this may be done by hand or with mechanical row planters.
What is sprigging & how does it work?
Sprigging is a horticultural technique where segments of grass or plants are replanted to propagate new growth, creating lush, green spaces. It’s an eco-friendly method to cultivate lawns and landscapes. Intrigued by how sprigging can transform your garden?
What is plugging & sprigging?
Plugging: The planting of 2- to 4-inch diameter square, circular or block-shaped pieces of sod at regular intervals is called plugging. Three to 10 times as much planting material is necessary for plugging as sprigging. The most common turfgrasses that are started by the use of plugs are St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass and centipedegrass.
What is Stolonizing sprigs?
Stolonizing is the broadcasting of stolons on the soil surface and covering by topdressing or pressing into the soil. Stolonizing requires more planting material but produces a quicker cover than sprigs. Care after Sprigging: It is extremely important to maintain a moist surface during the initial establishment from sprigs.