How to Plant Grass Plugs for a Lush Lawn

Spring is the time when you step out into your winter-ravaged lawn and say "What the heck happened here?!"

It's also the time to plant grass plugs and reclaim your yard, transforming it into the beautiful green specimen you know it should be!

Here at Naturehills.com we often get asked about grass planting this time of year. People say that they like the idea of grass plugs over the expense of sod or the uncertainty of seeding, but are afraid that planting grass plugs is too hard.

Nature Hills Nursery is here to tell you a resounding "NO!"

Whether you are improving a small patch, the entire front lawn, or starting with no lawn at all - grass plugs are super easy to work with, plant, and get growing fast!

Getting Started With Grass Plugs
Grass Plug Spacing:
Preparing the Ground!
What To Do Once Your Plugs Arrive
Planting Grass Plug
Types of Grass Plugs at Nature Hills
Fertilizing and Weed Prevention
What to Avoid
Get Growing!

Getting Started With Your Grass Plugs

We start shipping grass plugs from spring all the way through early fall depending on your growing zone. Depending on how large an area you are planting, the first step is to know the area of your yard! Measuring can be tricky to get exact measurements so break your property into sections that are easier and add them all together.

Typical Grass Plug Spacing:

The closer you plant the plugs, the quicker the lawn will fill out!

12-inches apart -1 tray of 18 plugs will cover 32 square feet
15-inches apart -1 tray of 18 plugs will cover 40 square feet
18-inches apart -1 tray of 18 plugs will cover 56 square feet

Preparing the Ground!

New Lawns

Looking out at that expanse of bare soil, it can seem like a green lawn is ages away! But this bare canvas is perfect for a new lawn! Start by clearing your canvas of all surface debris, stones, remaining vegetation, stumps and other litter.

Then properly grade your yard, because sod or grass plugs will not hide bumps or slopes and low spots in your yard. Now is also a great time to ensure all areas have proper drainage!

Renovating Lawns - Herbicide Method

If you have a weed patch that hasn’t had any real lawn before, you need to level the playing field. Spraying with herbicide is the fastest and least labor-intensive method.

When using any chemical - it’s vitally important to always follow the label instructions! Spray the area you are adding the grass plugs to with glyphosate, non-selective herbicide such as Round-Up. After around 10 days, check on your site to be sure all vegetation is dead. Repeat the treatment if the vegetation is not all dead and wait an additional 10 days.

Renovating Lawns - Non-Herbicide Method

Prepare the soil by one of the following methods.

Remove the weed/sod layer using a sod cutter (these can be rented) and get a clean bare canvas to work from, giving you a level surface with good drainage.
Or, till all existing vegetation under in the entire area to a depth of 3 to 4 inches, mixing it with the soil. Water the area, let it dry, and then till it again. Depending on the amount of vegetation, you may have to repeat this several times. Water one last time to firm the soil, let it dry and rake it smooth. Make sure all areas will drain properly.

What To Do Once Your Plugs Arrive

Unpack the plugs as soon as possible from the box they were shipped to you in or remove them from your vehicle as soon as you get home. Place the trays in a single layer in an area protected from the wind. Water the plugs immediately and keep them moist until you are ready to plant them.

Grass plugs are perishable and don’t necessarily need to be planted immediately, but can be kept in a shady area outdoors and kept watered - do not let these trays dry out at all!

Planting Grass Plug Planting - As Easy As Can Be!

Once you’ve prepped the area and have added any soil amendments and irrigation - it's time to plant your grass plugs!

Step 1 - Thoroughly water the area you intend to plant, whether a whole lawn or a small bare patch. This softens the soil and helps it settle. Do this the night before you plan on planting.

Step 2 - Dig holes for the plugs in a checkerboard pattern for the best coverage, following your chosen spacing. The holes should be only as deep as the plug roots. To speed this up use an auger made for planting bulbs and plugs. You can also use a dandelion digger, or simply a long screwdriver to dig the holes! This is attached to a hand drill and will save you time and a serious backache.

Step 3 - In each hole put a light sprinkling of lawn fertilizer, and Boost Grass Plug Root Dip to give the grass a head start. Or simply broadcast fertilizer over the top of the planting when the grass blades are dry after the plugs have rooted in.

Step 4 - Plant the plug in the hole and tap the soil around it so that is snug and secure. Be careful that you plant the plug no deeper than the plant is growing in the trays.

Step 5 - Water the area making sure each of the plugs remains moist as well as the soil they were planted into. Water evenly over the area with two light waterings each day when sunny is very important so the plugs and the soil around them stay moist.

Step 6 - After 4-6 weeks you can mow the lawn as normal.

Types of Grass Plugs

Nature Hills Nursery starts shipping grass plugs spring all the way through early fall. Grass plugs are a cinch to plant and very easy to care for and are a great alternative to seeds and sod. Picking your plugs may be the toughest part!

Bluegrass

Bella™ Bluegrass is good for Growing Zones 4-8, Bella Bluegrass is a very dark green color and it retains that color all season long. These grass have strong rhizomes and will keep your lawn looking solid and flawless. This variety is great for those that want less mowing, and less watering than other Bluegrass varieties, plus it stays green for a long growing season!

St. Augustine Grass

Ideal for hot growing zones and since its introduction thousands of homeowners can attest to the easy maintenance and aesthetic appearance of this landscaping turf offers!

Palmetto® St. Augustine - Good in growing zones 7-11
CitraBlue™ St. Augustine - Growing Zones 8-11

Bermudagrass

Other than being gorgeous green grass for any kind of yard, this grass is extremely tough. This grass is also deer resistant and drought resistant! Talk about a low-maintenance lawn.

Dog Tuff ™ - Dog urine resistant and traffic-resistant!
Latitude 36™ - Lush visual quality and very well adapted to the Southern States

Zoysia Grass

Zenith® Zoysia grass provides the benefits of using less water than bluegrass or fescue and in general, requires less maintenance. Zenith® Zoysia is also an improved variety with excellent color and exhibits good cold tolerance in growing zones 5-11. If you're not sure what to plant, Zoysia is a pretty safe bet as it grows over most of the continental US from the Deep South to the frigid north.

Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is a tough native grass, suitable for the western states. Its dense canopy of fine leaf blades creates a very soft carpet that is perfect for lawn activities. It has a dark blue-green color and naturally only grows 3 to 5 inches high. It's lush and soft while at the same time durable and hardy.

UC Verde Buffalo Grass Plugs
Legacy Buffalo Grass Plugs
Prestige Buffalo Grass Plugs

Blue Grama Grass Plugs

A vigorous grower, Blue Grama is a beautiful native grass that originated on the Western Plains and is a very vigorous selection of the Blue Grama. Use this grass in areas of high foot traffic and in areas such as highway medians. It will also do well as an accent plant in arid gardens.

Fescue Grass Plugs

Greenspan Spreading Fescue is a lush, heat-resistant and disease-resistant grass. Featuring deep roots for weed resistance, unwanted invaders simply can't compete with its thick root system. This grass is able to tolerate full sun up until 80% shade! Best in hot growing zones where these turfgrasses remain green year-round in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 9.

Fertilizing and Weed Prevention

Typically, lawns enjoy plenty of fertility and plentiful rainfall at this time of the year. Fall is the very best time to spray dandelions and other broadleaved weeds so in the spring they are gone and will not flower and set more seeds. (If you missed a few weeds, you can spot-treat them in the spring before they bloom). Use weed and feed or spot treat with your favorite approach, while the weeds are actively growing. It also eliminates weeds for next spring too!

Winterizing Lawn fertilizer is very welcome in the fall and will help to beef up your turf and give those roots a boost before winter. Whether you use chemical or organic fertilizers, if you only use fertilizer one time per year...this is that time!

What to Avoid

Please do not compact your soil! Each spring, we see people having their lawn rolled. One of the biggest problems of growing most plants is soil compaction. Lawn rolling uses a heavy weight to roll over your grass area to eliminate bumps or imperfections. Instead, if you have imperfections in your lawn, you are better off raking topsoil into the lower areas and filling them in, instead of rolling and compacting your soil.

Dull mower blades lead to chewed-up or torn, ragged grass ends. A sharpened mower blade gives your lawn a cleaner look but also keeps your lawn healthier!

Green Acres!

A greener lawn to make your neighbors envious is within reach with quality Grass Plugs from NatureHills.com! Check with your County Extension Office for varieties that do best in your area and tolerate your climate and weather conditions specific to your growing zone!

Soon you’ll enjoy a lawn that’s picture-perfect! Planting grass plugs is easy with the help of Nature Hills Nursery!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you install grass plugs step by step?

To install grass plugs, start by clearing and grading your planting area, removing all debris, weeds, and vegetation, then treat existing weed patches with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate and wait about 10 days before planting. Space your plugs between 12 and 18 inches apart depending on how quickly you want coverage, with closer spacing filling in faster and 18 plugs covering between 32 and 56 square feet respectively. Nature Hills ships grass plugs from spring through early fall depending on your growing zone, so order based on your region and the size of your project. Measure your lawn area, calculate how many trays you need using the spacing guidelines, and get your plugs in the ground as soon as they arrive for the best results.

How do you prepare your lawn before planting grass plugs?

Before planting grass plugs, clear the area of all surface debris, stones, remaining vegetation, and stumps, then grade the soil carefully since plugs will not hide bumps, slopes, or low spots. For bare soil, ensure proper drainage is in place before planting. If you are renovating an existing weedy lawn, apply a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate, wait approximately 10 days to confirm vegetation is dead, and then proceed with planting your plugs.

How far apart should grass plugs be planted for best coverage?

Grass plugs can be planted at 12, 15, or 18 inches apart depending on how quickly you want full coverage. At 12 inches apart, one tray of 18 plugs covers about 32 square feet, while spacing them 18 inches apart stretches that same tray to cover 56 square feet. The closer you plant the plugs, the faster your lawn will fill in, so tighter spacing is recommended if you want quicker results. Measure your lawn area carefully, then order the appropriate number of trays based on your chosen spacing before your plugs arrive.

How long does it take for grass plugs to spread and fill in?

The time it takes for grass plugs to fill in depends largely on plug spacing and growing conditions, but you can expect full coverage in as little as a few months when plugs are planted 12 inches apart, versus 6 months or more at 18-inch spacing. Warm-season grasses like Zoysia and Bermuda spread most aggressively during summer heat, while cool-season varieties fill in faster during spring and fall. To speed up the process, plant plugs as close as 12 inches apart, keep them consistently watered during establishment, and apply a starter fertilizer to encourage vigorous lateral growth.

Do grass plugs actually work for repairing bare or patchy lawns?

Yes, grass plugs are highly effective for repairing bare or patchy lawns and offer a reliable middle ground between the high cost of sod and the unpredictability of seeding. Nature Hills ships grass plugs from spring through early fall depending on your growing zone, so you can get started at the right time for your region. For faster coverage, plant plugs 12 inches apart where one tray of 18 plugs covers 32 square feet, or space them at 18 inches apart for a more economical approach covering up to 56 square feet per tray. Measure your patchy areas, order the right quantity of plugs, and get them in the ground during the appropriate planting window for your zone to see the best results.

How do you water grass plugs after planting to help them establish?

After planting, water your grass plugs immediately and deeply to help settle the soil around the roots. For the first two weeks, water daily to keep the soil consistently moist, then gradually reduce frequency to encourage deeper root growth. Once plugs show signs of spreading and new growth, transition to a regular watering schedule of two to three times per week depending on rainfall and your climate zone.

Can you make your own grass plugs from existing sod or turf?

Yes, you can make your own grass plugs by cutting small sections from healthy existing sod or turf using a plug cutter tool or sharp knife, typically in 2 to 4 inch diameter rounds. This works best in spring or early summer when warm-season grasses are actively growing, giving the donor area time to recover and the new plugs time to establish. For best results, keep the plugs moist and plant them immediately after cutting, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart depending on how quickly you want full coverage. For a more reliable and faster-establishing option, consider ordering professionally grown plugs from Nature Hills Nursery, which arrive healthy and ready to plant with a stronger root system than DIY cuts.

How do you keep grass plugs alive and growing after installation?

After planting your grass plugs, water them thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist for the first two to three weeks while the roots establish. Apply a starter fertilizer at planting time to encourage vigorous root development and follow up with a balanced lawn fertilizer as the plugs begin to spread. Avoid heavy foot traffic on newly planted plugs until they are firmly rooted and actively growing. Stay consistent with your watering schedule, mow only once plugs are well established, and apply a pre-emergent weed control carefully to prevent weeds from competing with your new grass.

When is the best time of year to plant grass plugs?

The best time to plant grass plugs is spring through early fall, though the ideal window varies by your specific growing zone. Nature Hills begins shipping grass plugs in spring and continues through early fall to accommodate different climates across the country. For best results, check your growing zone to confirm the right planting window for your area, and aim to plant when temperatures are consistently warm enough to support active root establishment.

How do you use a plug tool to plant grass plugs evenly across your lawn?

A plug tool, sometimes called a bulb planter or plug aerator, allows you to pull uniform holes from your soil at a consistent depth, making spacing far easier and more precise. For best results, set a string grid or use a measuring tape to mark your planting grid at your desired spacing, whether that is 12, 15, or 18 inches apart, before you begin punching holes. Drive the plug tool straight down, twist slightly, and remove the soil core, then drop your grass plug in and press it firmly so the roots make good contact with the soil below. Work row by row across your marked grid to keep spacing consistent and finish by watering the entire area thoroughly to help the plugs settle in.

How to Easily Install Grass Plugs!