- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Grass plugs vs. seed vs. sod
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:04 pm
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:04 pm
I'm about to start filling low spots in my yard, which will end up being almost the entire back yard and lots of the front yard. Gonna have to go about 2-3" deep so I'm going to need to plant grass afterwards. What is better - plugs, sod, or seed? I know sod would be the quickest way but also the most expensive method. I'm sure seeds would provide the next best option for coverage but I don't want to spread that much seed. I've never used plugs before -- how quickly do they spread and create a nice blanket of grass?
7
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:15 pm to TDsngumbo
What kind of grass? Seeds if it's marijuana 
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:16 pm to TDsngumbo
Not really answering your question but just a heads up.....be careful that you don't put too much fill around trees. You will kill them. I learned that hard way. It only took 4"-6" of fill.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:17 pm to weadjust
Going to go with centipede.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:18 pm to gumbeaux
quote:
Not really answering your question but just a heads up.....be careful that you don't put too much fill around trees. You will kill them. I learned that hard way. It only took 4"-6" of fill.
Yea I've read that it doesn't take much. I'm planning on keeping the fill about 6"-12" away from the tree trunks.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:20 pm to TDsngumbo
All depends on budget and size of yard.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 1:33 pm to TDsngumbo
Depends on how far apart you do the plugs but in general centipede will fill in decently fast. Certainly faster than something like zoysia, but not as fast as Bermuda.
Now, I will say that while it will fill in within a year, I have seen several yards where you can tell where it was plugged two years after the fact. The grass has grown together for total coverage, but you can see the plug spots. That is usually on something like zoysia though so hopefully it wouldn’t be as bad with centipede.
Now, I will say that while it will fill in within a year, I have seen several yards where you can tell where it was plugged two years after the fact. The grass has grown together for total coverage, but you can see the plug spots. That is usually on something like zoysia though so hopefully it wouldn’t be as bad with centipede.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 4:56 pm to Texas Gentleman
Centipede seed would also work. I've done that before. Especially as you're starting from scratch.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 6:15 pm to TDsngumbo
I have cut my own plugs of Centipede (out of a well established lawn) with a posthole digger. The plugs came out in about a 4.5 inch round piece. Using a posthole digger will allow you to grab just about all the root system. I backfilled the holes with some soil I bought at the local nursery, $20 for half a cubic yard.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 6:30 pm to TDsngumbo
Centipede id definitely do sod or seed. Plugs will take too long to fill in.
Posted on 2/28/18 at 7:51 pm to TDsngumbo
Sod is the way to go. It is only like $135 or so for grade A centipede per pallet. Do it in phases if you have to. Seed and plugs require too much maintenance.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 5:36 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
Going to go with centipede.
Best, cheapest place to buy said seeds?
I'm fixing to kill off a 3ac yard to relevel. and will be planting centipede.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 5:57 am to TDsngumbo
You need to keep fill out of the entire drip line.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 7:25 am to gumbeaux
quote:
be careful that you don't put too much fill around trees. You will kill them. I learned that hard way. It only took 4"-6" of fill
Can you explain this? I am fixing to do a till n fill as well.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 8:57 am to highpockets
quote:
Can you explain this? I am fixing to do a till n fill as well.
The capillary root system of a tree is shallow and provides oxygen to the tree. Putting too much fill over this root system smothers the tree. It does not kill it immediately.....usually takes 6 months to a year.
I placed 4"-6" of fill in my front yard to level it out and to provide a good base for zoysia sod I planned to use. The fill killed 11 mature white oak trees. I had an arborist come to my house for an explanation of why my trees were dying and that was his explanation. I have since heard this from others and also read about it on the Internet.
The OP said he intends to keep the fill 6"-12" away from the trunk. I don't think this is enough. The capillary root system is basically to the drip line of the tree's canopy.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 10:00 am to gumbeaux
Thanks for the info, I have one spot near a pecan tree in the back yard, it does not need fill because it is a hump, just needs to be leveled. In the front I should not be too close to anything, I need to fill and level areas from 2 old cypress trees.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 1:29 pm to gumbeaux
quote:
The fill killed 11 mature white oak trees.
Man that hurts my heart. That is my favorite tree.
I hate you had to learn that the hard way. If you put mulch up to the trunk of the tree too deep it will also have the same effect but for a different reason.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 1:33 pm to skidry
quote:
You need to keep fill out of the entire drip line.
This! If you do need to go inside of that keep it to no more than 2" and don't pack it.
Posted on 3/1/18 at 9:24 pm to TDsngumbo
Never grown a single blade of grass with centipede seed.
Posted on 3/2/18 at 2:39 am to Gevans17
Why?
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News