Which vegetative method involves the planting of small pieces of turf grass?

The correct choice is sprigging, which refers specifically to the planting of small pieces or shoots of turf grass, known as sprigs. These small sections are typically several inches long and contain nodes that can root and establish themselves in the soil. This method is commonly used for warm-season grasses that spread well vegetatively, allowing for quicker establishment than seeding, as the sprigs can establish roots and grow into new plants.

In contrast, plugging involves the use of larger plugs or chunks of grass that are often taken from a mature turf and placed into the soil at intervals, which is a slightly different method focusing on larger plant pieces. Stolonizing refers to grasses that spread through stolons, which are horizontal stems that root at nodes, rather than planting pieces directly. Sodding, on the other hand, involves laying down pre-grown grass sections with a soil base, which is a more extensive and immediate coverage technique, rather than the individual planting of small pieces.