Useful Technical Information Regarding Kikuyu Grass

· Turf

In terms of vibrant looking lawns, the name of kikuyu grass always stays on the top because of its so many features and benefits. It has been seen that some people simply get this grass installed because it was referred by someone or recommended by the supplier. Other than this, they have no scientific or technical knowledge about the same. 

Keeping this in view, we have come up with a post here that discusses the technical part of this turf. SO LET US START WITH WHAT IS KIKUYU.

ABOUT KIKUYU GRASS – WHAT IS KIKUYU?

Kikuyu is a turf variant with the scientific name of Pennisetum clandestinum and it basically originates from eastern parts of Africa. In that part of the world, this turf grows in lower tropical regions and there, it has been categorised as a noxious weed. Despite this, it has been hugely popular in different parts of the world including Australia, Hawaii, Arizona and so on because of some amazing benefits, features and characteristics that this turf has got.

HOW TO IDENTIFY KIKUYU GRASS?

Identifying kikuyu grass is very easy and you will just have to take note of the following things.

KNOW HOW KIKUYU GRASS GROWS -

  • Kikuyu grass is a rough, perennial, drought-resistant lawn grass that is very leafy and deeply rooted. 
  • It grows on loam, clay, alluvial and fertilised sandy soils. 
  • Kikuyu turf spread by numerous large creeping stolons and rhizomes that form a vast network of fibrous roots.
  • The rate of spreading is really fast with the help of a dense web of thick fleshy stems that helps in creating a mat like structure on the ground.

Because of its competitive nature, it would be a challenge for anyone to grow kikuyu grass alongside any other turf and its invasion rate is also really high. This is the main reason why turf suppliers recommend not growing it around plant beds and garden beds.

Kikuyu turf

Some of the main advantages of Kikuyu Grass include:  

  • Drought Resistance 
  • Grows And Spreads Quickly Through Suitable Soils 
  • Tolerates A Wide Range Of Mowing Heights 
  • Relatively Quick Recovery From Fires 
  • Relatively Inexpensive