Is Kikuyu right for you?

KIKUYU HAS ITS ROOTS IN KENYA

Did you know that Kikuyu grass originates from tropical eastern Africa, and is named after the proud Kikuyu people of Kenya? This low-growing, warm season perennial grass has become one of the most popular turf grasses in Africa, Australia and Southern California. It flourishes in basically any part of South Africa and adapts well to wet and dry conditions. 

 A REMARKABLE MULTIPURPOSE GRASS

Kikuyu is very versatile: it’s one of the favourites as a homelawn, works excellently on sports fields and is highly productive as a pasture crop.

HOMELAWN: As a homelawn, Kikuyu is often the preferred choice, as it is affordable, tough, drought tolerant and quickly spreads across an area (through rhizomes and stolons) to create a thick carpet of bright green.

SPORTS FIELDS: Kikuyu also forms the base turf grass of many sport stadiums in South Africa, and is usually oversown with Ryegrass in autumn so that the field stays a perfect green surface throughout the cold winter months. 

PASTURE: Many milk producers in South Africa use the same principle for their Kikuyu pasture by oversowing with Ryegrass. This keeps the cows happy all year round and increases their winter milk production and carrying capacity.

HOW TO PLANT KIKUYU:

If you want to have a great Kikuyu lawn, we recommend planting in spring. The same applies for the pasture crop, although some farmers tend to establish it in autumn with a nurse crop like rye grass.

Recommended seeding rates are as follows: for lawn purposes 2g/sqm and 2kg/ha for a pasture crop.

Make sure not to plant the seeds too deep (± 1cm) and give them a fine, weed free seedbed. After seeding ensure that there is good contact between seed and soil by rolling. Light watering should be done after seeding and can slowly be cut back on after germination. The grass will be established quickly.  

WHEN IS KIKUYU THE IDEAL CHOICE?

As mentioned Kikuyu makes an excellent lawn, sports field and pasture grass. It loves sunshine and thrives in areas which receive at least 70% sunlight per day. If you need a tough, hardy grass which will cover an area quickly with a lush green mat, Kikuyu will do it for you. Although it is a warm season grass and eventually loses its colour in winter, it stays greener for longer than other summer grasses, for example Bermuda.

WHEN SHOULD I USE ANOTHER VARIETY?

Kikuyu is sometimes not the preferred choice, because of its invasive properties. The grass can smother other vegetation and also needs to be mowed more regularly than other grasses. It also has to be watered frequently in summer, during its main growth season, which could be more challenging in areas where water restrictions apply. 

WHERE CAN I GET IT?

Kikuyu is one of the many turf grass varieties available from Agricol. Come talk to us about which grass types will work the best for what you need!