Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
on smaller areas and often with species having larger stolons, such as
St Augustine grass. A stolon should be placed every 5-10 cm in the
furrow and manually covered by soil such that 15-25% extends above
the surface. Major advantages of this method are minimal loss due to
desiccation, the need for only half as much planting material or less, and
less rigorous post-planting care. The major disadvantage is higher labour
costs.
Plugging
Only stoloniferous or rhizomatous turf-grasses can be established by
plugging. Because almost all warm-season turf-grasses belong to this
category, plugging can be widely used in tropical climates. Plugging,
sometimes called spot sodding, is the planting of small pieces of sod
spaced apart over a large area (Fig. 4.11). The small pieces of sod, called
plugs, are commonly formed by cutting of sod strips into small square
pieces. Establishment by plugs is chosen most often for small areas and
involves a considerable amount of manual labour. Plugs are usually
about 5
5 cm and are placed in a grid pattern on 15-30-cm centres.
Small holes are punched in the soil with a stick made of wood or metal,
Ideally, sod should be cut
into squares 5
×
5 cm
Distance between
plugs 15
−
30 cm
Fig. 4.11. Almost all warm-season turf-grasses can be established by plugging.
Ideally, sod should be cut into squares 5
5 cm, which are then planted 15-30 cm
apart. (Drawing by R. Castro.)
