A Beginner’s Guide to Bermuda Grass Sod Plugs

When you search for grass plugs online, it’s most likely that the top results will feature Bermuda grass—and fittingly so. 

Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass characterized by dense, light-to-dark green blades. Its use as a grass lawn is primarily attributed to its excellent weather resilience and self-repairing abilities. Today, you’ll find it available as sod or grass sod plugs, and if you’re in Florida or anywhere in the southern region, Bermuda grass may be the most prevalent option for you.

What is Bermuda Grass?

Bermuda grass is a warm-season perennial grass that grows most actively from late spring to summer. It thrives in full, direct sunlight, is well-adapted to various soil conditions and climates in Florida, and has impressive wear, drought, and salt tolerance. 

It enters dormancy during cold winters and turns brown. However, you may not have to worry about your grass losing its vibrancy in the mild, wet winters in southern lawns. With its durability and resilience to heavy foot traffic, this grass variety is preferred for golf courses and sports fields.

Types of Bermuda Grass

There are at least two types of Bermuda grass: the common Bermuda grass is generally accepted as any seed-propagated variety with a light-green color and coarse texture. While it may lack aesthetic appeal, it compensates by being a viable option for pastures due to its high nutritional value. It has a vigorous growth rate, forming a dense lawn capable to withstand heavy foot traffic

Meanwhile, hybrid Bermuda grass varieties are cultivated for greater drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases than common Bermuda grass varieties. They don’t make viable seeds and are propagated through sod or plugs.

BIMINI® Bermuda grass stands out as an improved hybrid variety with a finer leaf texture. It forms a dense turf characterized by its vibrant dark green, fine-bladed grass, and upright leaf growth, with less water and lower maintenance requirements.

The Benefits of Bermuda Grass Plugs

Grass plugs are individual turf plants, with each plug measuring 3x3 inches. Our SodPods Bermuda grass plugs are sold in 16, 32, or 64-pack trays. We recommend planting them 9-12 inches apart—the less space they have, the faster they will spread and fill your lawn.

While sod and grass plugs are both methods of establishing a lawn, they differ in scale and approach. Whereas laying new sod provides immediate gratification by covering a large area with an almost-instant fully-mature dense grass, plugs are small sections of grass, with a fully-developed root system, that allow for more precise targeting of specific areas.

Bermuda plugs offer the flexibility to establish your lawn as your time and budget allow and the convenience of repairing lawn issues without having to spend on a full sod installation. It's a great alternative when the amount of grass you need is much less than a pallet of Bermuda sod. You can also purchase sod to test out how well the Bermuda grass will perform in your yard, particularly its specific conditions.

How to Plug Bermuda Grass

Planting Bermuda grass sod plugs is a pretty straightforward process that involves digging evenly spaced holes in the soil to accommodate each sod chunk. However, there are some pre- and post-plugging measures you should take to guarantee maximum success in establishing a healthy, green lawn.

To establish a new lawn

Establishing a new lawn with Bermuda grass plugs begins by preparing your yard by removing any existing grass or weeds. This unwanted vegetation can compete with your desired plants, hindering their growth.

Apply a non-selective herbicide to your lawn 10-14 days before the sod pod installation for effective weed control. You may have to re-apply after 3-4 days if there are still signs of weed growth. After that, you can use a sod cutter or a rake to remove the debris or thick carpet of thatch on the top of your soil.

Excessive thatch prevents air, water, sunlight, and nutrients from reaching grass roots, leaving your lawn susceptible to drought, pests, and diseases. By preparing your soil, you are not only creating a clean slate for your new lawn but also setting the stage for successful plugging.

To repair damaged areas in your lawn

Grass plugs offer a practical solution for addressing issues like bare spots or sparse areas that may stem from heavy foot traffic, poor soil conditions, fungal diseases, and pests, among other factors.

But before the grass plug installation, tackling these potential causes is crucial. This may involve the application of pesticides or fungicides and implementing measures to minimize foot traffic while your grass recovers.

Installing grass plugs facilitates a speedy recovery, allowing your lawn to regain its healthy and vibrant appearance. It also contributes to the overall resilience of your lawn and its ability to withstand daily wear and tear.

Whether kickstarting a new lawn or mending damaged areas, ensuring success also involves fertilizing your soil with a slow-release starter fertilizer like Nutripod. This essential step nurtures the grass plugs, supplying the necessary nutrients gradually and consistently as they adapt to the new soil. Read here for a more comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to start a lawn with grass plugs.

Bermuda Grass Plugs at Bethel Farms

Grass plugs emerge as a versatile solution for establishing a new lawn and revitalizing sparse or bare areas in an existing one. The ease of grass plug installation and the resilient nature of Bermuda grass make plugging an accessible option for homeowners seeking a lush and resilient lawn.

Elevate your lawn with Bethel Farms. We offer farm-fresh, ready-to-plant Bermuda grass plugs with established root systems to guarantee a lush and resilient green cover for your outdoor space.

Discover more grass plug varieties by visiting our website today!