Can You Make Your Own Grass Plugs?

You’ve saved, worked hard, and finally succeeded—congratulations on moving into your new home!

As you walk through the door, your mind will likely be racing with to-dos to make you feel right at home. But caring for your new place shouldn’t be confined to the four corners of your home—it should extend well beyond the walls, too. When you spruce up your lawn, planting new grass should be at the top of your list.

It’s not just curb appeal. A healthy, vibrant lawn also lays the foundation for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere—and in terms of cultivating a lush, green landscape, planting grass plugs emerge as a clever solution to get started.

What are Grass Plugs?

Grass plugs are individual grass plants grown in trays in controlled conditions. The concept is simple: a grass plug is a patch of healthy grass, usually 3x3 inches, with thriving grass blades, well-established roots, and soil. Plant grass plugs 9-12 inches apart into the ground and then wait for them to grow and spread, creating a lush, green cover.

Like sod, grass plugs are ready to plant. They are used for lawn care, filling in sparse areas in an existing grass lawn, or growing a new grass variety that will eventually take over the landscape. It’s the middle between sod and seeding—it is more affordable than sod but guarantees a higher chance of success than seed.

Some warm-season grass varieties like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grass are not available as seeds, so grass plug trays are the next viable option.

Can You DIY Grass Plugs? 

Whether you want to repair damaged areas or do a complete overhaul, making grass plugs yourself sounds appealing. However, it doesn’t come without potential drawbacks, which may only set you back instead of helping you realize your dream of a lush, resilient, green outdoor space.

There are many reasons to install grass plugs from specialized farms instead. These farms create an optimal environment for growing robust and healthy grass plugs. Backed by precise cultivation methods, advanced horticultural practices, and years of expertise, grass growers ensure that the grass plugs are well-established, disease-resistant, and better equipped to thrive even in harsh weather conditions once transplanted.

While it’s tempting to DIY for the potential cost savings, you may lack the expertise and skills to replicate these favorable conditions, resulting in weaker or less-resilient grass plugs.

3 Reasons to Use SodPods vs. DIY Grass Plugs

At Bethel Farms, our commitment to helping you grow a flourishing lawn motivates us to explore and deliver revolutionary solutions to elevate your property. Our SodPods grass plugs leverage advanced cultivation methods, optimal growing conditions, and the expertise of our grass farmers overseeing the process. 

Not all grass plugs are created equal. What sets us apart from traditional grass plugs is the level of care and attention each plug receives in our family-owned and operated farm to maximize its potential to grow into a dense green landscape.

Expertise and Precision

We have a team of experienced grass farmers who understand the intricacies of optimal growth conditions—a level of expertise that DIY attempts may lack to plant grass plugs successfully.

Disease and Weather Resistance

Nurtured in controlled environments, we emphasize fostering robust root growth—a critical factor in boosting the grass plugs’ resistance against pests, diseases, and weeds. With less-than-optimal conditions, DIY methods may not achieve the same level of root development, affecting your plug’s ability to thrive post-transplantation.

Wide Variety of Grass Plugs

We take pride in offering various grass plug options for different lawn needs and preferences. These include several warm-season grass plugs like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia, which thrive in different climates and conditions.

How to Prepare Soil for Planting Grass Plugs

While you can plant grass plugs any time of the year, it is generally ideal to plant them in late spring and early summer when temperatures aren’t too hot. For warm-season grasses, it means having adequate time for the root system to establish before they go into winter dormancy. 

Establishing a new lawn takes preparation to address potentially poor soil conditions for accommodating grass plugs. Start by conducting a soil test to assess pH, nutrient levels, and composition. It will inform you of the necessary amendments and the right balance of nutrients you can apply to create optimal conditions for grass growth.

Work the top of your soil by removing debris and breaking up clumps of soil. If weeds are growing along with your existing lawn, use a rake or sod cutter to uproot them. You can use the SodPods Power Planter, an auger tool designed for cordless drills, to conveniently drill holes for your plugs. It can also double as an aerator to relieve compaction, improve drainage, and remove air pockets—loose soil allows for better root penetration.

READ: How to Use Plug Tools for Grass Correctly: A Quick Guide

High-Quality SodPods Grass Plugs by Bethel Farms

We dedicate our time and resources to cultivating grass plugs that have higher chances of thriving once transplanted to your lawn—and to provide a nutrient boost during the initial stages of growth, we introduce NutriPods. Encased in a dissolvable pod, these slow-release starter fertilizers help your newly planted grass plugs adapt to the new environment and kickstart their development. Place one in each plug hole, then insert a grass plug, covering the roots with soil and pressing down gently to eliminate air pockets.

Keep the soil moist during preparation, before, and immediately after planting. It will help settle the soil and the grass plugs sufficiently hydrated. Adjust watering frequency as the grass plugs acclimate to their new home.

Implement weed control measures to prevent water, nutrition, and space competition. Once the grass plugs have been established, mow your lawn regularly to promote healthy and vigorous growth. These steps culminate in creating a conducive environment for successfully establishing your grass plugs and setting the stage for a lush and vibrant new lawn.

Final Thoughts 

The benefits of opting for farm-grown grass plugs far outweigh the potential drawbacks of the DIY approach.

When you purchase grass plugs from us, we bring to your lawn our years of expertise, controlled environments, and commitment to growing strong, disease-resistant plugs that contribute to your lawn's overall success and health.

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