Aerating the lawn area is an excellent first step. During this process, it’s recommended to together a mixture of a good gardening compost (Omni Planting Compost & Seed Cover), along with gypsum (Arizona’s Best Gypsum) 50/50 and spread that mixture over the lawn and if possible, into the holes in the soil left by the aeration. The holes may or may not be available for this, depending on the tool that’s used. Either way, I would still include in this process.
The compost will add valuable organic matter to the soil, and the gypsum will further help to aerate the soil, loosen it, for better water penetration and a stronger root system, especially important since St. Augustine prefers well drained soils. If the area where the new plugs will be installed is rather bare, then a greater amount of the 50/50 mix should be incorporated in to that soil.
Upon completion, water the entire lawn well to help the mix “settle in” to the soil beneath the lawn. I would then follow up with a good fertilization, especially if that hasn’t been done yet in the spring. If installing more St. Augustine plugs is in the near future, I would stay away from the high nitrogen chemical fertilizers and use something “tamer” and more organic, such as Milorganite, or Espoma makes a nice All Natural Lawn Food (apply carefully, following the instructions on the bag).
The combination of the above steps should not only encourage new growth from the existing lawn, but also prepare the right environment for the installation of additional St. Augustine plugs. With the arrival of spring, the irrigation timers should be turned on, and a normal watering and fertilization program should follow thereafter.
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