If you’re a Texas homeowner, you know a lush Saint Augustine lawn is the pride of the neighborhood. Knowing exactly when to plant Saint Augustine grass in Texas is the single most important step to getting it right.
Plant too early, and a late frost can wipe out your investment. Plant too late, and the summer heat will stress the young grass before it’s established. The sweet spot is all about soil temperature and consistent weather. Let’s break down the optimal schedule so your new lawn thrives from the start.
When To Plant Saint Augustine Grass In Texas
For successful establishment, the golden rule is to plant your Saint Augustine grass in the spring, after the last frost date has passed and when soil temperatures are reliably warm. Across Texas’s varied climate zones, this typically means a window from late March through early June.
The key is to watch conditions, not just the calendar. Your grass needs warm soil to encourage root growth and a long season of growing weather ahead to strengthen before its first winter.
Why Spring Planting is Best for Saint Augustine
Spring offers the ideal balance for warm-season grasses like Saint Augustine. The rising temperatures and longer days trigger active growth. This gives the grass plenty of time to develop a deep, robust root system.
A strong root system is your lawn’s best defense against the intense Texas summer drought and heat. Planting in spring sets it up for long-term resilience.
Texas Climate Zones and Your Planting Schedule
Texas isn’t one climate; it’s several. Your specific location dramatically effects your best planting date.
- North Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth): Aim for late April to mid-May. Wait until soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth are consistently above 65°F. A surprise late frost can damage new sod or plugs.
- Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio): The optimal period is early April to late May. The season starts a bit earlier here, but be cautious of erratic spring weather patterns.
- South Texas (Houston, Corpus Christi): You can often start earliest, from late March through May. The warmer coastal climates provide a longer growing season, but ensure all frost threat is gone.
- West Texas (El Paso, Lubbock): Timing is closer to North Texas, from late April to June. Low humidity and drying winds mean careful irrigation is even more critical after planting.
How to Check Your Soil Temperature
Don’t guess—measure. Use a simple soil thermometer, available at any garden center. Take the reading at 9 a.m., at a depth of 4 inches, for several consecutive days.
When the average is consistently 65°F or higher, it’s go-time. This is a more reliable indicator than air temperature alone.
Step-by-Step Guide to Spring Planting
Once your date is set, proper planting technique ensures success. Follow these steps carefully.
1. Site Preparation (The Most Important Step)
Poor preparation leads to poor results. Start by completely removing any old grass, weeds, and debris. Till the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches to loosen it.
Grade the area to ensure proper drainage away from your home’s foundation. Then, incorporate 1 to 2 inches of organic compost into the tilled soil. This improves nutrient content, drainage, and water retention.
2. Choosing Your Grass: Sod, Plugs, or Sprigs?
- Sod: Provides an instant lawn and is the most effective at preventing erosion and weed competition. It’s the fastest but most expensive method.
- Plugs: Small pieces of sod planted 6 to 12 inches apart. A cost-effective option, but they take a full growing season or more to fill in completely.
- Sprigs: Individual stems or runners. These are the least expensive but require the most skill and time to establish, and they are vunerable to weeds.
3. The Planting Process
- Moisten the soil a day before planting so it’s damp but not soggy.
- Lay sod tightly together in a staggered brick-like pattern, ensuring no gaps. Roll the sod after laying to ensure good soil contact.
- For plugs, use a plugger tool to create holes at your chosen spacing. Place each plug firmly and water them in.
- Water immediately and deeply after planting. The root zone and soil below must be thoroughly wet.
4. Critical Post-Planting Care
The first 30 days are crucial. Your new grass has very shallow roots and needs constant moisture.
- Watering: Water daily, or even twice daily in hot, sunny weather, for the first 1-2 weeks to keep the soil constantly moist. Gradually reduce frequency over the next few weeks, encouraging roots to grow deeper searching for water.
- First Mow: Wait until the grass has rooted firmly and reached about one-third above its recommended mowing height (usually 3.5 to 4 inches for Saint Augustine). Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mowing.
- Initial Fertilizing: Do not fertilize at planting. Wait 4-6 weeks after planting, then apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support growth without burning tender roots.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good timing, errors in care can set you back. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Planting in Shady Areas: Saint Augustine needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. It will thin out and struggle in heavy shade, no matter how well you plant it.
- Overwatering Later On: While initial watering is critical, chronically soggy soil leads to fungal diseases like brown patch and root rot. Adjust based on rainfall.
- Using the Wrong Fertilizer: High-nitrogen, quick-release fertilizers applied too early can burn the grass. Stick with slow-release formulas and follow a Texas-specific lawn schedule.
- Ignoring Soil Test: A soil test from your local county extension office is inexpensive and tells you exactly what nutrients your soil lacks. It prevents guesswork and wasted money.
Fall Planting: A Risky Alternative
Spring is strongly recommended, but fall planting is sometimes attempted in warmer parts of Texas. If you consider it, you must plant at least 90 days before the first expected fall frost.
This gives the grass enough time to establish roots. The risk is that an early cold snap can damage or kill the grass before it’s hardy. For most homeowners, spring is the safer, more reliable choice by far.
FAQ: Your Saint Augustine Planting Questions Answered
Can I plant Saint Augustine grass in early March?
In most of Texas, early March is too risky due to potential late frosts. Always go by soil temperature (65°F+) rather than the calendar month. South Texas may be an exception.
What is the latest I can plant Saint Augustine in spring?
Aim to have it in the ground by early June. Planting later exposes young, shallow roots to the peak summer stress of July and August, increasing failure risk.
How long does it take for Saint Augustine plugs to spread?
With ideal conditions—warm weather, consistent moisture, and good soil—plugs can take a full growing season (about 4-6 months) to fill in completely. Patience is key.
Should I water new Saint Augustine grass at night?
No. Always water in the early morning. Watering at night leaves the grass blades wet for extended periods, which can create a perfect invironment for fungal diseases to develop.
Can I lay sod over existing grass?
Absolutely not. You must remove all existing vegetation. Sod laid on top will fail to root properly into the soil, leading to rapid drying and death. Proper soil contact is non-negotiable.
By following this springtime schedule and guide, you give your Saint Augustine lawn the strongest possible foundation. Paying attention to your local conditions and providing consistent care after planting are the final pieces of the puzzle. With the right start, you’ll be on your way to a thick, green, and resilient Texas lawn.