Lawn Watering Tips: How to Water Your New Grass Plugs

by Jamie Tedder September 17, 2024

Planting new grass is an investment that rewards you with a healthy, green lawn. The benefits extend beyond aesthetic appeal; think improved air quality, higher property value, and a cooler outdoor environment.

Grass plugs are a cost-effective alternative to full sod installation, particularly for repairing small patches of damaged or bare soil. However, caring for new grass requires a different approach than maintaining an established lawn. Proper watering is crucial during the initial establishment stages, as mistakes can easily lead to disappointing results.

Key Takeaways

Proper watering during the initial establishment stage is essential for the success of your new grass plugs. Consistent moisture facilitates root-to-soil contact and prevents transplant shock. Adjust your watering based on weather conditions to avoid overwatering and underwatering.
Water your lawn early in the morning to reduce evaporation and avoid the risks of fungal growth. Aim for deep, infrequent watering by providing 1-1.5 inches of water per week, spread over 1-2 sessions. This approach encourages deeper root development and improves drought resistance. Use the tuna can method to measure water application accurately.
For the best results, Plant SodPods® grass plugs at the start of the growing season, ideally in late spring or early summer. This timing aligns with the peak growing season of warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, allowing optimal root development and lawn establishment.

What are Grass Plugs For?

Grass plugs are small, individual sections of mature grass pre-grown in trays and complete with fully developed roots. They are designed for easy planting and provide a practical solution for lawn repair and establishment. Whether filling in bare patches or starting a new lawn with a grass type better adapted to your growing conditions, grass plugs offer faster establishment, thus significantly reducing the risks of weed growth and soil erosion. Their mature roots give them a head start, leading to faster and more resilient growth.

When is the Best Time to Plant Grass Plugs?

You can plant grass plugs any time of the year, especially if you live in regions with temperate climates where winters are mild. But, for optimal results, we recommend planting them at the beginning of the growing season.

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine thrive in the warm, humid conditions of Florida and should be planted in late spring or early summer to align with their peak growing season. Planting before the cooler months allows your plugs to establish more effectively into a healthier, more resilient lawn. Check out our complete guide on planting grass plugs for detailed instructions.

Watering Tips for New Grass Plugs

Proper watering during the initial establishment stage is essential for helping the plugs develop deeper roots and solid contact with the soil, preventing the new grass from drying out and succumbing to stress. Consistent watering also helps avoid transplant shock, which often happens when the plugs are first introduced to a new environment. Well-hydrated grass is better equipped to grow more vigorously, creating a lush, healthy lawn.

Plugging Day

Pre-watering your lawn on the day of grass plugging creates the ideal environment for your plugs. This will help the grass roots connect easily with the soil. After planting, water the plugs immediately to set them in place and encourage root growth. This initial watering is also essential to keep the new grass from drying out and set it up for successful establishment.

First Week Post-Plugging

During the first week, keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. Aim to water the plugs 2-3 times a day to retain adequate soil moisture without waterlogging. If the weather is particularly hot and dry, you may have to increase watering frequency slightly to keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Conversely, watering should be reduced if there is significant rainfall.

Second Week Post-Plugging

As your grass plugs start to take root, you can gradually reduce the watering frequency. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil as they seek moisture. Monitor the soil moisture to ensure it's not drying out too quickly, and adjust your watering sessions accordingly. At this point, you can likely get away with watering daily or once every other day, depending on the weather.

Third Week Post-Plugging and Beyond

By the third week, your grass plugs should be more established, so you can further reduce watering to the recommended 1-2 times a week. Focus on deep watering until the soil is moist, 6-8 inches deep. This encourages strong root development, making your lawn more drought-tolerant and resilient.

Additional Watering Tips

Effective watering is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn and ensuring the grass plugs thrive. Get the best results by tailoring your watering routine to the weather and your lawn's needs. This approach helps optimize water usage, conserve resources, and support optimal grass growth.

Adjust your watering schedule based on the weather conditions—provide supplemental irrigation during prolonged dry spells and apply less water during cooler, wet periods. Aim for deep, infrequent watering rather than light, frequent watering to encourage deeper roots, which improves your lawn's drought resistance and overall health.
Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and fungal diseases. Most lawns require 1-1.5 inches of water a week, either through rainfall or irrigation. Look out for signs of overwatering, including yellowing grass blades or overly saturated soil. Consider providing more water to keep your grass healthy and prevent stress during extreme heat or drought.
Consider using a lawn sprinkler system to distribute water evenly. Integrate rain sensors into your irrigation systems to prevent overwatering during rainfall. These solutions can help maintain consistency in your watering routine.
Water your lawn early in the morning. This allows the grass to absorb moisture before the day's heat, reducing evaporation losses. On the other hand, avoid watering at night, as watering late in the day can lead to excess moisture on the grass blades, promoting fungal growth and diseases.
Use the tuna can method for precise water measurement: place a few empty tuna cans around your lawn and run your sprinkler system until the water level in the cans reaches 1-2 inches. This indicates that you’ve applied the recommended 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly.
Be mindful of water restrictions in your area, which may limit when, how often, and how long you can water your lawn. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance while allowing you to contribute to the collective effort to conserve water.

Final Tips

Following a proper watering routine is essential for successfully establishing grass plugs. The key is to provide the right amount of water at the right times to avoid applying too little or too much, which can be equally detrimental to your lawn. Consistent lawn care will set the stage for a lush, green lawn that contributes to your home's value and aesthetic appeal.

When buying grass plugs, choose high-quality options from SodPods®. We recommend using NutriPod® grass fertilizer during planting to support optimal growth and faster establishment. These fertilizer pods are designed to accelerate growth up to two times faster, helping you cultivate a dense, healthy lawn in a shorter period.

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Jamie Tedder

Jamie surrently serve as Vice President on the board for Turfgrass Producers of Florida. He currently oversees the production of all grasses throughout all farms in Florida at Bethel Farms. He is actively working with top grass breeders, researchers, producers and end users from public and private institutions around the country to stay up to date on current industry developments. Being a University of Florida graduate, he has applied that knowledge to over 22 years of experience growing spectacular grass!