Sprigs

Sprigging is a method of planting a new lawn where single grass plants at set intervals so the grass can fill in across the bare soil.

Sprigging can be accomplished either mechanically or manually. It normally involves planting sprigs (stems or runners with 2 — 4 nodes or joints in the grass blade) in furrows 1" — 2" deep and 10" — 18" apart.

Sprigs should be placed at 4" — 6" intervals within the cultivated furrows. Shallower planting results in a more rapid establishment. The ideal placement leaves about 1/4 of each sprig above ground after planting. Roll or tamp the soil around sprigs after planting and keep the upper surface (1" — 2") moist by daily, light watering until the grass is well rooted and spreading out.

In large areas, it is best to sprig and water smaller sections at a time. Sprig warm-season turfgrasses at least 2 months before the first fall frost in order to allow enough time for the sprigs to spread out and take root.

There are several methods of planting sprigs

One method is to cut shallow furrows in the prepared planting area by using a push-plow or the edge of a hoe. Place the sprigs from one end to the other, or about every 6" — 12" along the row. Cover a part of each sprig with soil and firm by rolling or stepping on the furrow. The closer together the sprigs are planted, the faster the grass will cover the soil. Rows should be placed no further than 6" — 8" apart.

A second method is to place the sprigs on the soil surface at the desired interval end-to-end, about 6" apart, and then press one end of the sprig into the soil with a notched stick or a dull shovel. A portion of the sprig should be left above ground exposed to the light. Each sprig should have some leaves, but a single node will do if the stolon has no leaves.

Regardless of the planting method, each sprig should be tamped or rolled firmly into the soil. This will help keep the sprigs from drying out. As with seeding, soil must be kept continually moist— not wet— until rooted. Watering lightly 1 — 2 times daily will be required for several weeks. Mulching can also be used in vegetative planting for moisture conservation and erosion control.

Another method of sprigging, which is used where rapid cover is needed, is stolonizing or broadcast sprigging. The sprigs are prepared by mechanical shredding or hand tearing of sod into individual sprigs, or purchased by the bushel (most common method used with bermuda). The material is broadcast, like a mulch, over the area by hand. Sprigs are then cut into the soil with a light disc or covered with ½" of soil topdressing, rolled, and watered. This method provides very fast coverage.

Since sprigs are planted at a shallow depth, they are susceptible to drying out. Frequent watering's are necessary until roots become established.


Expand All \| Collapse All Lawns Good Lawns 6 Step Perfect Lawns Grass Disadvantages DIY Lawncare Professional Lawncare Future of Lawns Synthetic Lawns Lawncare Lawncare Basics Lawn Fertilization Organic Lawncare IPM Maintenance Lawn Fertilization Fertilizer Fertilizer Myths Granular Liquid Organic Mulching Fertilizer BioStimulants/Kelp Manure Lawn Maintenance Aeration Thatch Dethatching Liming Pesticide Use Watering Mowing Good Mowing Lawn Mowers Mulching Mowers Mowing Safe Mowing Blade Sharpening Organic Lawncare Organic Lawncare Switching Composting Repairing Lawns Reviving Lawns Repairing Lawns Renovating Lawns Re-Establishing Lawns Seeding Seed Labels Hard to Seed Areas Slit Seeding Hydroseeding Overseeding Post Planting Seeds Sod Post Planting Sod Sprigs Plugs Soils Bacteria Flagellates Fungi Good Nematodes pH Levels Soil Temperatures Turfgrasses Seeds Shade Tolerant Grasses Cool Season Turfgrasses Kentucky Bluegrass Kentucky 31 Chewings Fescue Fescue Red Fescue Tall Fine Fescue Hard Fescue Perennial Rye Ryegrass Titan Thermal Blue Turf-Type Tall fescue Zoysia Out Warm Season Turfgrasses Bahia Bentgrass Bermuda Buffalo Carpet Centipede Floratam St. Aug. Kikuyu Grass Palmetto St. Aug. Raleigh St. Aug. St. Augustine Propagating S. Augustine Thermal Warm Zoysia Transitional Turfgrasses Annual Rye Kentucky Bluegrass Perennial Rye Thermal Turf Type Fescue Zoysia Enter your ZipCode below to find a professional in your area.	Home Landscapes Gardens Lawns Grasses Grasses Cool Season Grasses Cool Grasses Kentucky Bluegrass Kentucky 31 Fescue Red Chewings Fescue Fescue Tall Hard Fescue Fine Fescue Rye Annual Rye Perennial Thermal Blue Titan Turf-Type Ryegrass Turf-type Tall fescue Removing Zoysia Warm Season Grasses Warm Grasses Bahia Bentgrass Bermuda Carpet Buffalo Centipede Floratam St. Augustine Kikuyugrass Palmetto St. Augustine Propagating S. Augustine Raleigh St. Augustine St. Augustine Thermal Blue Zoysiagrass Transitional Zone Grasses Transitional Zone Kentucky Bluegrass Rye Perennial Thermal Blue Turf-type Tall Fescue Zoysia Grass Lawncare Lawncare Basics IPM Mulching Mulching Fertilizer Organic Lawncare Pesticide Use Mowing Good Mowing Maintenance Mower Mowing Safe Mowing Sharpen Fertilization Fertilizer Fertilizer Myths Granular BioStimulants Liquid Manure Organic Re-planting Seeds Reading a Seed Label Hard To Seed Hydroseeding Overseeding Laying Sod Planting Plugs Planting Sprigs Caring for Seeded Areas Caring for Sodded Areas Reestablishing a Lawn Renovating a Lawn Repairing Damaged Areas Lawn Revival Seeding a New Lawn Slit Seeding Process Shade Tolerant Grass Maintenance Aeration Dethatching Lime Thatch Watering Soils Bacteria Flagellates Fungi Good Nematodes pH Levels Soil Temperatures Organic Organic Lawncare Switching: Going Organic Composting 6 Steps to a Perfect Lawn Why Grow Grass? Disadvantages of Grass DIY Lawncare Good Lawns Lawns Professional Lawncare Future of Lawns Synthetic Lawns Problems Galleries Resources
	>>Home > Sprigs Sprigging is a method of planting a new lawn where single grass plants at set intervals so the grass can fill in across the bare soil. Sprigging can be accomplished either mechanically or manually. It normally involves planting sprigs (stems or runners with 2 — 4 nodes or joints in the grass blade) in furrows 1" — 2" deep and 10" — 18" apart. Sprigs should be placed at 4" — 6" intervals within the cultivated furrows. Shallower planting results in a more rapid establishment. The ideal placement leaves about 1/4 of each sprig above ground after planting. Roll or tamp the soil around sprigs after planting and keep the upper surface (1" — 2") moist by daily, light watering until the grass is well rooted and spreading out. In large areas, it is best to sprig and water smaller sections at a time. Sprig warm-season turfgrasses at least 2 months before the first fall frost in order to allow enough time for the sprigs to spread out and take root. There are several methods of planting sprigs One method is to cut shallow furrows in the prepared planting area by using a push-plow or the edge of a hoe. Place the sprigs from one end to the other, or about every 6" — 12" along the row. Cover a part of each sprig with soil and firm by rolling or stepping on the furrow. The closer together the sprigs are planted, the faster the grass will cover the soil. Rows should be placed no further than 6" — 8" apart. A second method is to place the sprigs on the soil surface at the desired interval end-to-end, about 6" apart, and then press one end of the sprig into the soil with a notched stick or a dull shovel. A portion of the sprig should be left above ground exposed to the light. Each sprig should have some leaves, but a single node will do if the stolon has no leaves. Regardless of the planting method, each sprig should be tamped or rolled firmly into the soil. This will help keep the sprigs from drying out. As with seeding, soil must be kept continually moist— not wet— until rooted. Watering lightly 1 — 2 times daily will be required for several weeks. Mulching can also be used in vegetative planting for moisture conservation and erosion control. Another method of sprigging, which is used where rapid cover is needed, is stolonizing or broadcast sprigging. The sprigs are prepared by mechanical shredding or hand tearing of sod into individual sprigs, or purchased by the bushel (most common method used with bermuda). The material is broadcast, like a mulch, over the area by hand. Sprigs are then cut into the soil with a light disc or covered with ½" of soil topdressing, rolled, and watered. This method provides very fast coverage. Since sprigs are planted at a shallow depth, they are susceptible to drying out. Frequent watering's are necessary until roots become established.

	©2012 Landscape-America.com. All Rights Reserved \| Site developed by OHCPi Site Map \| Pro Search Submission Form \| American-Lawns.com \| FAQ \| Resources

Lawncare solutions for America's homeowners

Enter your ZipCode below to find a professional in your area.

Sprigs

There are several methods of planting sprigs