OzGrass turf plug showing established root system and green grass blades ready for planting | OzGrass

How to Plant Turf Plugs — Step-by-Step Guide for Australian Lawns

Turf plugs are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to establish or repair a lawn. Whether you're converting a bare patch, filling in worn areas, or starting a new lawn from scratch — plugs give you a head start over seed with faster establishment and less watering in the early stages.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to plant turf plugs successfully in Australian conditions.

What Are Turf Plugs?

Turf plugs are small sections of established grass — roots, soil and all — that are planted directly into the ground. Once in, they spread laterally to fill in the gaps between them, eventually forming a dense, continuous lawn.

OzGrass stocks two varieties:

Kikuyu Turf Plugs — fast-spreading, hard-wearing, ideal for full sun lawns across most of Australia
Dominator™ Couch Grass Turf Plugs — fine-leafed Bermuda couch, low mow height, suited to warm climates and high-traffic areas

When to Plant Turf Plugs

Plant turf plugs during the warm growing season when soil temperatures are above 18°C:

Queensland: September through April
NSW & VIC: October through March
Cooler climates: November through February

⚠️ Please note: Due to quarantine regulations, we cannot ship turf plugs to WA, NT or SA.

Avoid planting in winter — plugs will survive but establishment will be very slow.

What You'll Need

Turf plugs (OzGrass Kikuyu or Dominator™ Couch)
Garden fork, trowel, or plug planting tool
Lawn starter fertiliser
Topsoil or compost (optional but recommended)
Hose or irrigation

Step-by-Step: How to Plant Turf Plugs

Step 1 — Prepare the soil

Loosen the top 5–10cm of soil with a fork or cultivator. Remove weeds, rocks and debris. If your soil is compacted or sandy, mix in a light layer of compost to improve moisture retention.

Step 2 — Mark your spacing

For fastest coverage, plant plugs 20–30cm apart in a grid or staggered pattern. Closer spacing = faster coverage but more plugs required. For a budget-friendly approach, 30cm spacing works well — kikuyu and couch will fill in within one to two growing seasons.

Step 3 — Dig your holes

Dig holes slightly larger than each plug — deep enough for the plug to seat approximately 5mm below soil level.

Step 4 — Add starter fertiliser

Add lawn starter fertiliser and liquid or granular wetting agent. This gives the roots an immediate nutrient boost and speeds up establishment.

Step 5 — Plant the plugs

Place each plug into the hole 5mm below the surrounding soil. Firm the soil around each plug with your hands to remove air pockets.

Step 6 — Water immediately

Water thoroughly straight after planting. For the first two weeks, keep the soil consistently moist — water daily if there's no rain. Once plugs show new growth, reduce to every 2–3 days.

Step 7 — Watch them spread

Within 4–8 weeks you'll see lateral runners spreading from each plug. By the end of the growing season, most lawns will be well on their way to full coverage.

Tips for Success

Don't let plugs dry out in the first two weeks — this is the most critical establishment period
Avoid heavy foot traffic for the first 4 weeks
If planting into an existing lawn, scalp the area first to reduce competition.