Your Detailed Guide to Maintain Kikuyu Grass Successfully
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For several decades now, Kikuyu grass has stood as a versatile, resilient, and attractive turf option for different landscapes in Australia. The most significant feature of this Kikuyu grass is its ability to thrive in diverse conditions. When coupled with its low maintenance requirements, it becomes the favourite turf among homeowners and commercial landscapes. Just like any other grass, Kikuyu grass also requires some maintenance, look after and care. The steps are elementary, and we have covered them in this article.
HOW TO CARE FOR KIKUYU GRASS?
Kikuyu grass is considered a challenging, fast-growing, and economical option, and all these features make it an incredibly popular turf in Australia. It has a dense, evergreen carpet that is resilient and capable of bouncing back even after excessive foot traffic and damage.
WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED FOR KIKUYU GRASS HERE AND WHAT MATERIALS HELP?
Here is a quick list of tools and materials needed for Kikuyu grass maintenance. It is recommended that you wear all the necessary safety equipment, such as safety grass, gloves, and a mask, and follow the instructions related to product or equipment usage.
Handheld fertiliser spreader
Slow-release lawn fertiliser
STEPS RELATED TO CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF KIKUYU GRASS
As mentioned above, the steps related to the care and maintenance of Kikuyu grass are very simple, and some standard steps are needed, just as we see in the case of buffalo grass. Let us understand some common steps here in this segment.
Kikuyu grass loves mowing and you should consider it a rule to mow at least once every week. The reason is that this will encourage new growth and regular mowing will result in a thicker and a more luxurious looking lawn. You can use a high-power cordless or petrol lawn mower and mow to the height of 20 to 25 millimetres.
WATERING-RELATED GUIDELINES
You must water Kikuyu grass thrice daily when the lawn is in its infancy stage. This frequent watering will help develop a robust and solid root system, and as a result, you will get drought-tolerant Kikuyu grass. Once established, you can cut down the watering frequency to once every week. However, if you notice that your Kikuyu last is turning brown, this means it requires more water, and you will have to increase your watering frequency. Experts recommend watering deeply in the morning to maximise water’s efficiency and to allow enough time for the soil to soak up the water.
FERTILISER APPLICATION RELATED TIPS
Just like buffalo grass, some significant factors related to fertiliser application must be kept in mind to keep your lawn lush and vibrant. You should always pick granular lawn fertiliser that has a perfect mix of macro and micronutrients. Kikuyu grass needs fertiliser application 3 to 4 times yearly, preferably during summer and autumn.
The chosen fertiliser should have a high nitrogen content, as this will lead to excessive leaf growth. You can consider using a fertiliser with adequate iron content to achieve a bright green colour.
Weed and pest attacks are very common on all types of grasses, but the good thing is that keeping Kikuyu grass vibrant and pest-free is very easy, just with a few simple steps. Tackling weeds is easily possible by pulling them off manually or with a weed puller. Some herbicides are very effective on broad-leaf weeds; you need to check the label for their effectiveness. The most common pest found in Kikuyu grass is grubs, and you will have to apply pesticides or insecticides to remove them and prevent new infestations.
AERATING KIKUYU GRASS LAWN
Timely aeration is critical to keeping the Kikuyu grass perfect all the time. This aeration should be done in the summer or spring season when the grass is growing strong. This way, it will bounce back quickly, but be sure to check on your local climate, weather, and soil conditions. Aeration can be done very quickly after the rainy season, and you can go for it once or twice a year for healthy growth.
Dethatching becomes important when Kikuyu grass starts showing some signs of wear and tear. This dethatching basically starts by mowing the grass and preparing it for dethatching. Then, you will need a dethatching rake or a machine to remove dead grass or debris. Once finished, make sure that you dispose of everything properly as per your local council guidelines.