[TC2]

I'm starting a rear yard reno to replace some centipede with Tiftuf bermuda. I've chosen to plug to keep costs and pre-prep down to a minimum. I'm currently in the process of cutting 2x4" deep plugs while the turf is supposedly somewhere around 0.5" thick, so I need some filler. My soil is mostly quite dense and silty with a grey or red clayey layer about 3-4" down (although that varies by area). After rain, the holes generally take at least 2 days for the water to empty.

I'm wondering what would be suggested for filler for the plugs? Part of me says compost (was looking at supersod Soil3 for example) for good plug growth but worries they're going to keep sinking over time. The other part says sand, but worries they'll dry out too quickly. The middle thinks a mix would be a good compromise, but my muscles complain it's too much effort! The original soil is an option, but it will be lumpy and generally a pain in the *** to work with.

Thoughts welcome!

 

[Spammage]

How are you planning on adding the material to the plug holes? If individually, I would use sand and mix in some peat moss for moisture holding ability. If dragging, then you will have issues with the holes being "full", peat mix would be really difficult, but it would be less labor intensive.

 

[Movingshrub]

What rate are you going to plug?

 

[TC2]

How are you planning on adding the material to the plug holes?

If it was sand, I would have to do individually. Compost could be dragged, but would probably still need adjustment per hole to get level right. Per hole is probably the least labor intensive method, all things considered.

 

[TC2]

What rate are you going to plug?

About 7-10" between holes.

 

[Movingshrub]

Just to make sure I understand - you're plugging the entire 4500 sqft centipede area with plugs every 7-10" apart?

 

[TC2]

Just to make sure I understand - you're plugging the entire 4500 sqft centipede area with plugs every 7-10" apart?

No, I'm doing the middle section of my rear lawn, closer to 2500 sqft. 7" was my starting distance, 10" is my current . Hoping to expand from there in the future. I was considering doing a quiet takeover in the front once I'd got the rear established.

The rear lawn will be less sqft when I get around to getting some landscaping and paving done.

 

[Movingshrub]

What will that take in number of plugs? About 1500?

I've never done plugging. How does that compare to sodding, in terms of time required for installation?

 

[SCGrassMan]

I'm not sure how 5,000 - 10,000 holes dug and plugs planted is going to save you on "pre-prep work" honestly... but sand would be better for drainage.

 

[TC2]

I'm not sure how 5,000 - 10,000 holes dug and plugs planted is going to save you on "pre-prep work" honestly... but sand would be better for drainage.

I suppose it depends how you credit prep work. Punching the holes is time consuming, but it's also something I can pick up and put down when I feel like it. A few days ago I estimated I'd made about 2000 holes and covered about 1k. That took a week of time spent here and there. I've just sprayed the existing turf with glyphosate, so I've got about another month or so before I'll be planting. In that time, I'll easily have finished off the holes and could get started on pre-filling. I am somewhat lucky in that the soil density means the holes aren't in any rush to fill back in again.

+1 for sand then .

 

[Mightyquinn]

I agree that sand would probably be best as it will help with drainage of the lawn. If you wanted to go a step further you could add some Peat Pellets to the bottom of the holes to give the roots something to grow into and still keep the advantages of the sand.

 

[Gibby]

Let us know how this goes. I have centipede also have been been researching like crazy what to replace it with because I hate it with a passion. It just doesn't stand up to the wear and tear from the dogs and kids.

 

[Mightyquinn]

Let us know how this goes. I have centipede also have been been researching like crazy what to replace it with because I hate it with a passion. It just doesn't stand up to the wear and tear from the dogs and kids.

For wear and tear from the dogs you will most likely want to go with bermuda.

 

[TC2]

I'm well into the prep stage now. Lawn is browning up nicely and I'm hoping to plant in a week or two. Took Mightyquinn's idea to use peat pellets together with sand to get the best of both worlds. I'll give it a proper thread with pics once it's going.

The method is good for saving money but I'm not convinced at this point the money saving is worth it. To do a large area would take a very considerable effort (or lots of help)! If I had to do it again, I'd perhaps try a hybrid version using a sod cutter.

 

[Movingshrub]

The method is good for saving money but I'm not convinced at this point the money saving is worth it. To do a large area would take a very considerable effort (or lots of help)! If I had to do it again, I'd perhaps try a hybrid version using a sod cutter.

That's exactly why I asked concerning the number of holes/plugs you were planning to do. If you have irrigation, I think stolonizing is absolutely the most cost effective option if you don't want an instant lawn. If it's a repair or a small area (100sqft?), plugs make sense to me because it isn't worth it to go buy a 500 sqft pallet of sod.