Kikuyu Grass – Why Choose It Over Buffalo Grass?

  Image Source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

A greenery lover homeowner takes pride in maintaining greenery around the property and keeping the lawn well-maintained. This maintenance becomes very easy for any property owner if Kikuyu grass is installed. It is known for its medium to dark green colour and coarse texture. Due to several reasons, like numerous stolons and rhizomes, this turf is a suitable choice for lawns all across Australia. Another feature is its adaptability to the local climate. This means it will thrive well in warm environments while tolerating extended periods of drought. Let us quickly understand why you must rely upon Kikuyu grass for your lawn.

WHY CHOOSE KIKUYU TURF OVER OTHERS?

VIGOROUS GROWTH AND QUICK ESTABLISHMENT

Kikuyu turf is the most impressive in vigorous growth and quick establishment. It can survive well in warm climates, and you will find it establishing rapidly in your lawn to provide a lush green carpet.

INCREDIBLE DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Just like the buffalo grass lawn, Kikuyu turf is also an incredible performer in drought tolerance. In other words, this turf can survive and perform very impressively, even with minimal irrigation once established. This turf has deep roots that help in survival by pulling water from deeper and deeper into this soil.

HEAVY FOOT TRAFFIC IS NOT AN ISSUE

Kikuyu grass also has incredible qualities related to tolerating heavy foot traffic and the damage caused by kids and pets. This turf recovers quickly from any damage or wear and tear that it experiences. This makes it a top choice for sporting fields, stadiums, playgrounds and households where kids and pets reside.

Moreover, Kikuyu turf is more affordable than other available options. It can thrive well in complete sun conditions, but yes, it is an invasive grass, and this means that it will require more mowing and maintenance than usual.

HOW TO MAINTAIN KIKUYU GRASS?

Kikuyu requires regular watering to stay lush and green. 

Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. 

Water early morning or late afternoon.

Keep Kikuyu at an optimal height of around 2.5 to 4 centimetres.

Regular mowing is necessary during the active growing season.

Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass's height.

Regularly inspect your lawn and manually remove weeds.

Kikuyu Grass Vs. Buffalo Grass – Which One to Choose and Why?

Image source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

So many different grass varieties are incredibly popular in Australia. The top names are Sir Walter Buffalo Grass and Kikuyu Grass. These two names are the most preferred and recommended, and they differ in several ways. People often get confused about selection, and we have come up with a post discussing the main differences between the Sir Walter buffalo grass and Kikuyu grass.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF SHADE TOLERANCE

Kikuyu grass thrives in almost all conditions, and it is not necessarily a shade-loving grass. But yes, it can hold itself in some shade for sure. On the other hand, Sir Walter DNA-certified buffalo grass can perform very handsomely in shaded areas. It can survive well in regions that experience a minimum of 3 hours of sunlight daily.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Australia experiences dry and hot weather conditions for most of the year, and it is essential to consider this factor when selecting the turf. Areas like New South Wales are scorching, and the good thing is that both Kikuyu and buffalo are great for dry weather and drought-prone regions. Kikuyu grass features large prostrate runners that seek moisture from inside the ground. These runners have an awe-inspiring growth rate, and they establish faster than others. On the other hand, buffalo grass is also known as a superior drought-tolerant turf. The buffalo grass lawn features a good quality deep root system that penetrates well into the subsoil to fetch moisture.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE

Homeowner's first choice is a low-maintenance grass that doesn't require investment of time and money. Regarding maintenance, Sir Walter buffalo grass and Kikuyu grass are equally impressive as they don't require much attention after growing successfully. There will be no need to use chemicals for lawn care. On the other hand, Kikuyu grass withstands heavy foot traffic very quickly, and it can even survive in dry conditions without too much watering. Kikuyu is also known for its invasive nature, and in some cases, it can become a headache to deal with it.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF WEAR AND TEAR

Kikuyu grass has superior wear tolerance and recovery rate compared to buffalo grass lawns. Prostate runners present in this turf give it a deep root system. This turf is also the quickest-growing variety that can recover from activities like kids and pets playing on the lawn, home parties, etc. Sir Walter buffalo grass lawn is also hard-wearing and has a strong, deep root system that maximises nutrient intake. It is perfect for areas where kids and pets love to play on the lawn. 

How Do You Identify Kikuyu Grass?

Image source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

Good quality grass can transform your dull-looking lawn into a lush green oasis. When choosing a suitable turf, most people opt for Kikuyu turf, as it stands out as the most popular and resilient option. However, identifying kikuyu grass is a challenge in itself, but by following some valuable tricks and determining the features, this identification becomes very easy. In this blog post, we explore some useful ideas for identifying kikuyu grass, but initially, we go through the top characteristics.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KIKUYU GRASS?

Kikuyu grass is a perennial grass, and it grows very well under cool and warm temperatures when the conditions are humid. The good thing is that it can survive high temperatures as well. If left unmowed, Kikuyu grass will reach almost 18 inches. This turf can grow up over the fences into the trees and shrubs. When mowed, the Kikuyu grass can survive the cutting height of less than half inches.

HOW TO IDENTIFY KIKUYU GRASS?

According to the vendors of palmetto buffalo turf, identifying kikuyu grass is not easy as you will find the leaves in very light green colour. These leaves can be 1 to 10 inches long and pointed from the top. The leaf blades are flat and 1/8 to 1/4 inches wide.

WHAT DOES KIKUYU GRASS LOOK LIKE?

Kikuyu grass has creeping stems, and they form a dense mat of green vegetation. The leaves are primarily short and have a coarse texture.

IS KIKUYU GRASS HARD TO MAINTAIN

This is a complete myth, and the fact is that this grass will be easiest to maintain, but it will require regular attention and upkeep. For example – mowing will become a weekly task to keep the grass attractive. Some details related to maintenance are presented below.

• Cut to as low as 1″ (2cm) in winter

• Let it grow a bit longer in hotter months.

• Watering is essential for a new Kikuyu lawn.

• Once established, this robust lawn will withstand long periods of drought.

HOW ARE KIKUYU GRASS AND BUFFALO GRASS DIFFERENT?

The appearance of these two grasses is wholly different and very helpful in identifying them. For example – kikuyu grass has medium leaf blades, but buffalo grass comes with broad leaves. Kikuyu is bright green in colour, and buffalo grass comes with a deep green colour.

Buffalo vs. Kikuyu Grass – Which Is the Ultimate Winner?

Image Source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

In any typical Australian lawn, you will find the most common turfs available in Australia, like Kikuyu and Buffalo. These are the two most prominent varieties in every property with a garden or a lawn. Both these types are popular for their distinctive features and characteristics. This factor hardens the selection process, but we have developed the blog post to guide you in choosing the right one based on your requirements.

COLOUR AND APPEARANCE – KIKUYU GRASS AND BUFFALO GRASS

In terms of overall appearance, these two grasses are completely different. One grass type has a light hue, while the next one boasts dark green colour, and this makes them two different sides of a spectrum. Eureka Kikuyu grass, in particular, offers the perfect sun-kissed look with its light shade. Sir Walter DNA-certified buffalo grass is another option known for its excellent colour retention properties.

DURABILITY FACTOR – BUFFALO Vs KIKUYU

Eureka Kikuyu grass is known to resist high traffic very easily due to its medium coarse leaf. Also, it is highly resistant to all kinds of wear and tear experienced after children and pets have spent hours playing on it. Kikuyu grass is known as a stable turf due to its reliability and strength.

Sir Walter buffalo grass and palmetto grass are equally tough competitors in terms of self-repairing. Just like the Kikuyu turf, buffalo turf will also bounce back easily upon getting damaged.

HEAT AND DROUGHT TOLERANCE – BUFFALO Vs. KIKUYU

Australian weather is the biggest challenge for any grass, and the hot weather can dry any turf in a few days. This is where Kikuyu and palmetto grass can be beneficial, as they are incredible performers in drought-like conditions. Eureka Kikuyu can retain its colour all year round due to its deep root system that delivers water from deep inside the soil. Sir Walter and palmetto are also known for great wear tolerance properties, and they can manage to survive even during the hottest and driest summer season.

PERFORMANCE – BUFFALO Vs KIKUYU

If you are searching for the best-performing lawn, buffalo and Kikuyu grass are the answers. However, Kikuyu grass will require more maintenance and hence, it is ideal if you have adequate time for maintenance. The good news is that Kikuyu is known for its weed and pest resistance, and these factors will not influence the quality at all.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Kikuyu Grass

Picking suitable grass is a challenge for property owners, mainly when there is a never-ending range available in the markets. Upon seeking suggestions from turf suppliers, you will get Kikuyu grass as the top answer. It is a popular option in Australian gardens, as it has a very aggressive growth and has the quality to adapt to a range of conditions. In this blog post, we will learn some key characteristics of Kikuyu grass, but let us first understand what this grass is.

Source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

WHAT IS KIKUYU GRASS?

Kikuyu grass is an exciting turf option available to the people of Australia. It is known as one of the hardest and most cost-effective options available in turf supplies Sydney. This grass is a part of the poaceae family and was imported from Belgian Congo. In the beginning, it was not a very much trusted option in terms of lawn grass but yes, it was acknowledged for its medicinal benefits. The juice of kikuyu grass has blood clotting qualities that can reduce excessive bleeding really fast.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF KIKUYU GRASS

There is a long list of advantages of using Kikuyu grass. One thing you have to keep in mind is that it grows really vigorously and thrives really fast.

Here is a small list of the advantages and disadvantages of using Kikuyu grass.

ADVANTAGES:

Kikuyu grass has strong, deep roots, which makes it incredibly resilient.

This variety of grass repairs incredibly quickly.

It is ideal for areas with lots of foot traffic.

It is great for gardens with children or pets.

This grass is incredibly drought tolerant, needing little supplementary water. 

The deep roots also make it great for erosion control.

Kikuyu grass produces an ocean of bright green – becoming the envy of your neighbours.

DISADVANTAGES:

It tends to turn yellowish during the winter, which some growers don’t like.

It’s an incredibly aggressive grower.

It can become invasive and affect other plants.

Kikuyu is not shade tolerant and will die off quickly when not receiving sufficient daily sunlight.

Buffalo Grass – An Incredible Choice for Commercial and Residential Gardens and Lawns

For several decades now, buffalo grass has remained the most preferred grass for the people of Australia because of certain features. The top quality is that it can grow in dry areas, and even in the absence of top supplies Sydney, you will find this turf thriving well. In other words, even with little or no irrigation at all, this turf can generate magnificent lawns in a residential and commercial set-up. Several features are there that set this turf apart from all other types available in Australia.

Source: https://aviewturf.com.au/

SEEDING BUFFALO GRASS

An adequately organized seed bed is what you will require if you want to see this grass successfully thriving. Some people rely on the 'scatter' technique, and if you do too, it is recommended that a thin layer of soil is placed on top of the seed. With a warm climate and minimal irrigation, you will find it growing well. Yes, one thing to note here is that the planting has to be done early enough before the cold season.

FERTILIZATION OF BUFFALO GRASS

Compared to couch grass and Kikuyu grass, buffalo grass will perform well in proper fertilization. It has to be ensured that too much fertilizer is not applied as it might damage the turf and hamper its steady growth. The right amount of fertilizer is essential, followed by the right kind to speed up the growth process. According to the vendors of turf supplies Sydney, proper and on-time application of fertilizer ensures the strengthening of the roots.

IRRIGATION AND MOWING

Once this turf is established fully, it will not require too much irrigation to thrive. In fact, it can perform well once irrigated each period. Deep irrigation is needed once every 2 to 4 weeks to improve the quality of the lawn and keep grass free from any weed invasion.

In contrast to other turfs, buffalo grass will offer you a lawn that stays green throughout the year, even when the lawn owner is careless about irrigation and mowing.

Maintenance and Look after Related Guidelines for Kikuyu Grass

 With the advancement of the summer season, property owners start thinking about lawn care and preparing a lawn. Most of them rely upon Kikuyu grass, as it is an ideal grass for Australian conditions. If you already have this grass installed on your lawn, you will have to maintain it as per the guidelines of the turf supplier. Yes, there are several guidelines that these professionals offer to ensure that you maintain this turf well and prolong its life significantly. Some summer lawn care tips are discussed here in this post.

KIKUYU GRASS CARE IN SUMMER – LAWN CARE TIPS

MOWING REGULARLY

One top tip related to Kikuyu turf maintenance in summer is related to mowing regularly. Experts recommend mowing this grass almost every week to prevent it from spreading in areas where it should not be. Regarding mowing, turf suppliers always recommend mowing with the catcher and never leaving mulch in the lawn.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Regarding fertilizer application, turf suppliers and vendors recommend fertilizing lightly while using slow-release lawn fertilizer. This fertilizer application is recommended lately because you are not going to mow the grass every second day. Watering should be done heavily and infrequently if there is no rain. To maintain the lawn further, you should grab a bag of river sand to fill in the divots and bare patches.

CLASSIFICATION 

Just like several other recreational turfs and grasses, Kikuyu grass is also classified as warm-season grass, and an important thing to know is that warm-season grasses are totally different from cool-season grasses in the way they grow. Cool-season grasses grow from seed with a single stem, but warm-season grasses grow by runners. Examples of cool season grasses are dry grass and fescue variety. On the other hand, warm-season grasses grow with above-ground runners known as stolons, and then there are rhizomes as well to help them succeed at a breakneck speed. Couch grass and Kikuyu grass are the two best examples of warm-season grasses available in Australia.

Small Information-rich Guide for Kikuyu Grass

Having a lush green lawn in front of your property is possible only when you maintain the turf as per the recommendations of the turf installation team. Another method is using Kikuyu grass, that is a lovely and budget-friendly grass, to enhance the look of your lawn. People who have never used this turf are confused about using it. 

This post will act as a guide for them to help them know this grass and stay confident while using it.

WHAT EXACTLY IS KIKUYU GRASS ?

Kikuyu grass originated from east Africa, but it is currently widely spread in Australia, New Zealand and southern California, USA. This is a hot-weather grass that has the capability to resist frequent drought periods impressively. This particular feature makes it a popular choice among homeowners in Australia. Some incredible features of this grass are – 

• It has extraordinary regenerative powers not seen in any other turf. 

• If damaged, it can recover on its own and also from severe frost conditions.

• It will stand tall in any weather conditions. 

• Even the hottest summer days will fail to demotivate this grass due to its strong and deep root system. 

• The deep root system is also responsible for controlling erosion on steep banks. 

• This grass has broad shaggy leaves that can reach up to 40 mm in length and 5 mm. 

• It is known for upholding its lust green colour 365 days a year.

• Last but not least, this grass is budget-friendly, easy to maintain and safe for kids and pets.

GENERAL KIKUYU GRASS MAINTENANCE TIPS

As far as maintenance is concerned, there is no rocket science involved and whatever steps are there, you can be assured about DIY maintenance. For example -you will just have to water Kikuyu grass correctly, and in terms of watering, experts recommend staying very careful during the first two weeks of installation. Coming to the mowing process, you will find Kikuyu turf dealers recommending cutting them short from 2-5 cm in length. 

Fertilizer application is also essential to keep this grass healthy for a long time. Fertilizers used for this grass should be slow-release products with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The application method includes applying fertilizer in the early spring and then in the initial weeks of the autumn season.

Kikuyu Grass Description and Advantages It Comes With

For those searching for a new turf for their homes, kikuyu turf has always been the most popular choice. The biggest reason why people love this turf is that it is hard-wearing, it looks beautiful, it is easy to maintain and most importantly, stays lush green throughout the year. 

There are different benefits of using this turf and we are going to discuss them here after going through the description.

KIKUYU GRASS DESCRIPTION -

Kikuyu is a low-growing, warm season perennial grass that has both rhizomes and stolons working equally to spread it. There are fine hair present on the stems and leaves of this turf and because of them, this is very soft to touch. 

Government authorities, families as well as sporting field owners prefer this grass over all others because lawn care is totally simple and it is very easy to take care of this grass even in large fields. Kikuyu turf copes well in wear-and-tear conditions because it is quick to repair.

KIKUYU GRASS ADVANTAGES -

According to the vendors, kikuyu grass comes with a whole plethora of advantages for the user and the most common of them all are – 

• Is highly drought tolerant

• Is fast-growing and self-repairing

• Is a soft, but dense-growing turf

• Does not require a lot of fertiliser

KIKUYU GRASS MAINTENANCE -

In terms of maintenance, experts recommend timely fertilisation for the kikuyu grass to remain healthy, vigorous and lush green. Vendors recommend slow release fertiliser application approximately one month after laying the turf. 

The reason why this much of time gap is recommended is that fertiliser applied before completing one month will have very less or no influence in the wellness of the turf. If your lawn appears to be losing some of the green colours, you can use a slow-release fertiliser, which is high in nitrogen. 

Experts even recommend that fertiliser application should be avoided in summer or using manure-based products.

People may know also : Maintenance Rules to Follow Regarding Sydney Buffalo Lawns

Common Grass Types in Australia

There are so many factors that influence the life and the quality of the turf installed in your property. One of the most important things is the kind of turf installed there in the lawn and this is why experts recommend getting the lawn installation done only after considering factors like the climate, the soil type, the water quality and so on. 

This becomes important for one more reason that there is a huge variety of turfs available in Australia like buffalo, couch, Kikuyu turf etc.

 

You need to be very careful about the selection process and take the decision only after knowing everything about all of them.

COMMON GRASS TYPES IN AUSTRALIA -

SIR WALTER DNA CERTIFIED BUFFALO GRASS -

According to the vendors of Kikuyu grass, this happens to be the most premium kind of turf available in the markets. This variety of turf is most popular among the people who want turf types that are robust in all kinds of weather conditions. 

The top feature of this turf is that it is capable to withstand different kinds of weather conditions with ease. They can grow in almost any situation, anywhere. This type of grass is a soft and broad leaf variety that is highly durable, easy to maintain and weed resistant.

BERMUDA TURF -

This turf is known for fine leaf and a really dense growth and because of this; it is useful in a variety of applications.

Because of the kind of density that this turf has, it is mostly used in sports ovals, community parks and areas with high traffic. 

Another feature is that as compared to others, this one has a darker green colour and most importantly, it is a drought tolerant turf.

KIKUYU TURF -

The first thing that you would notice immediately about this Kikuyu grass is that it enjoys longer growth of around 20-25 mm. It is one of the most durable turfs available and it can tolerate Australian summer season really well. The variety is self-repairing and ideal for pets, as it does not harbour too many pests and diseases.

People may know also : Kikuyu Grass Watering and Mowing Instructions

Interesting Facts That You Should Know About Kikuyu Grass

A number of factors have contributed in making Kikuyu grass immensely popular in Australia, but there are some who oppose and say that there are other better turfs too. There is no doubt about the same and in fact, there is an entire range of turfs, but all of them are better in different ways. 

The people of Australia love this turf because of features like rapid lush green growth, drought hardiness, resistance to wear and ability to survive gardener neglect.

If you are planning to get this turf installed, continue reading this post, as we have determined some top facts, features and characteristics of this Kikuyu turf that make it so popular in Australia.

KIKUYU GRASS CHARACTERISTICS-

• This grass was first brought to Australia around one century back in 1920s and at that time, it was categorised as a "pasture grass" for cattle.

• It was the native of Kenya and later in the 1960s, it saw transformations and later, it became the top grass in the Australian Continent.

• The modern-day variant of this grass is not as aggressive as the former Kikuyu grass of the early days and at present, it’s very sterile.

• This turf experiences really good quality and lush green turf throughout the winter and summer season. 

• This grass is better than others because it puts down deep roots.

• It can thrive really-really well in the hot weather conditions and because of disease-resistant properties; it stays immune through the summer season.

• Kikuyu grass has broad coarse leaves (25 to 40 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide) and hard runners.

• Because of having really aggressive growth rate and self-repair properties, this makes it a very economically available Kikuyu turf.

• Kikuyu is renowned for its vigorous growth in most conditions and although it is not a shade loving grass it will tolerate some shade.

• Growing the turf requires preparation, but not too much and mainly includes spraying, rotary hoeing, and levelling. 

People may know also : Two Top Types of Turfs in Australia and Their Best Features

Questions To Ask To the Turf Installation Experts

Getting a turf installed is a serious thing and something that you should never take for granted. This means that right from choosing the turf to getting it installed, you have to be attentive all the time and this goes for every kind of turf like Kikuyu grass, buffalo, wintergreen and so on. 

A main part of the process is choosing the right kind of turf installation experts and for this; you can ask the following questions to the shortlisted installation agencies.

Question 1: 
How Long Have You Been In Business?

The first question should be regarding their experience and how many years they have spent in the business. The reason is that installing these turfs like Kikuyu grass and others require expertise and this only comes with the installation expert spending more and more time in the industry. 

For this reason, it is advised that only the most experienced installation agency that has spent lots and lots of years in the field and installed all kinds of turfs and grasses.

Question 2: 
Where Is The Turf Grown?

To get the best out of the installation, experts and also the turf buyers, you need to ask where they grow their turf. Different places where turf is grown has a different impact on the quality as well as the life of the turf and in this connection, experts recommend using locally grown Kikuyu grass. The reason is that locally grown grass will have better power to resist oddness offered by local weather conditions and thrive successfully. A legitimate supplier will be happy to show you exactly, where their turf is grown if you care to look, so be sure to ask the question.

Read also : Kikuyu Grass Important Maintenance Tips

Question 3: 
How Is Your Turf Transported And Stored?

Once the turf is selected, its important to question about its transportation and also about the upkeep and maintenance of the grown turf and mainly about keeping it fresh for as long as possible. Rolling them in cylindrical form is a completely wrong way of its storage and if the installation team is doing so, you should correct them. Ideally, the turf should be cut fresh and immediately transported in refrigerated semi-trailers to the turf fridge or to the buyer straightaway.

Kikuyu Grass Important Maintenance Tips

Ask any vendor about your choice of low-maintenance and lush green turf, you will find them giving the answer in the form of Kikuyu grass. But often people get it wrong that it is entirely maintenance-free and couldn’t take care of the turf and all the money goes waste. The fact regarding the same is that just like other turfs, this one also requires maintenance and whatever steps are to be taken in this regards have been discussed here in this post. 

All these steps when taken in the recommended manner would make this turf lush green in your lawn and continue to look like same for a long time.

Getting to Know Kikuyu Grass-

Some top characteristics of Kikuyu turf or Kikuyu grass-

• It has a thick and strong root system 

• It has a network of thick, brown roots and they add volume to the turf

• Kikuyu grass is really impressive in terms of draught tolerance

• Definitely, it is very low maintenance turf and upon completely grown, will require watering just once per week

• The growth rate as well as expansion of the turf is really fast

• In the absence of timely mowing, this grass will quickly covert the entire area of the lawn

Maintenance Tips for Kikuyu Grass-

Watering-

• As said above, this turf can be watered once every seven to ten days during the summer season.
• In the rainy season, this duration could be increased further

Fixing Kikuyu Lawn-

• Upon seeing brown and dry patches, the first step is discovering the reasons behind them and in most cases, soil compaction is the reason.

• If bare patches are present, you will have to focus on improving the quality of the soil.

• This can be done very easily by aerating and fertiliser application on the area.

• The steps mentioned in the line above should never be carried out during the rainy season.

• Remember that for this turf to thrive quickly and well, you’ll have to arrange proper sunlight for the same.