Used for decades in Mediterranean regions in places where foot traffic was high, this grass native to tropical areas is slowly gaining popularity. Emerald Kikuyu can withstand both drought conditions and water logging. Originated from East Africa, adapted to humid tropics and subtropics, Officially introduced onto Northland farms in the 1920s after favourable trials, By the 1950s, it was realised that Kikuyu became weedy when uncontrolled and that eradication was now unlikely, Now widespread in northern half of the North Island and common in coastal areas of the southern half, also in Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Westland and Canterbury, Grows in pasture, lawns, waste areas, roadsides, coastal areas and waterway banks. If this occurs when kikuyu growth is slowing (autumn), it cannot compete as effectively and its ability to over-winter is impacted. Kikuyu germinates best when soil temperatures are above 21°C. A vigorous growing, warm climate grass. Key traits: Highly invasive; Economical; High maintenance; Eureka Kikuyu. Grass seed mat NZ Best lawn installation Auckland Ready lawn. Although Kikuyu grass can be adapted to a wide range of soil types, it grows best in a fertile, moderately drained sort, for example, red basalt or an alluvial, moist sandy soil. Legumes. Fescue have a fine deep green blade, are more frost tolerant being a cool season variety and are slow to establish. Tolerant of dry conditions, can dominate north facing slopes and dry hilltops. Kikuyu is a vigorous growing grass with a strong creeping habit that can produce an extremely durable, hard wearing lawn that can tolerate drought prone coastal situations. This creeping perennial has stolons and rhizomes with above and below ground runners. Shop Now, ©2020 Kiwicare • Proudly made in New Zealand. Type – grass Height – 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) Exposure – full sun. All pastures might just look like grassy paddocks to us, but sheep and cows are more discerning. It’s also good at holding its own against pests and weeds. Matt's Kikuyu lawn is looking really good after the renovation and is now really looking for a good fertilise. Also has long rhizomes. Decide between Tall Fescue, Kikuyu Seed, Rustic Blend and NZ Browntop. Fine leaf and Winter Colour Many homeowners prefer Kikuyu grass due to its dense, bright green soft leaf which gives … In frost prone areas Kikuyu will die back during winter and regrow from rhizomes in spring. Lawn Seed. Similar to Couch Grass, Kikuyu is another type of hardwearing grass that’s perfect for the family of pets and children to play on outdoors. Premium lawns created from 100% natural, eco-friendly Woolgro mats. 4 interest free payments of $ 15.00. Your favourited item has been saved in It is definitely a very interesting alternative to traditional lawn grasses. See advice on control of Coarse Grasses in Lawns. Once these grasses are established in your lawn it takes a lot more effort and more than one application of herbicide to remove them. Available as lawn seed, Emerald Kikuyu is darker in colour with a finer leaf texture. Hard fescue grass is indeed one of the “hardiest” of the fescues. What can we help you with? Lawn construction, Lawn renovation and Lawn maintenance. Good for coastal sites on sandy soils. Too much mulching trash (cut kikuyu) will affect establishment of other species, so it is important that the fragments decompose quickly or are removed. Choose a store for availability. If you have kikuyu invading your buffalo, tall fescue, rye or bluegrass lawn then you can't use the selective herbicides mentioned above because they will harm your lawn. Grass seed comes in three types and is blended to suit particular uses. Kills a broad range of stubborn weeds to the root, fast! Buffalo, Kikuyu, Couch and Zoysia grasses are all warm-season grasses that have runners (stolons) and are usually the best turf-type choices when it comes to home lawns in Australia. Kikuyu produces rapid green growth over the summer months, once ground temperatures exceed approximately 16°C it must be mown regularly at a height of approximately 20mm otherwise it will develop a thick spongy thatch that … Choosing your dairy and yard type Blueprints and building ... Endophytes are essential for persistence in most New Zealand pasture as it protects the plant from insect attack. Kikuyu grass gives you a solution against dry spells, foot traffic and watering. We also stock a wide range of fertilisers for gardens and trees as well as all the options to deal with weeds or bugs. David Brittain - Author and home pest and gardening expert at Kiwicare AHM Group. Grass Type: Mixed: Mixed: Dichondra: Kikuyu: Region: Appalachians,California Coast,Mideast Central,Midwest,Northwest Coast,Northwest Mountain,Southeast,Southwest Mountain: California Coast,Mideast Central,Midwest,Northeast Central,Northwest Coast,Northwest Mountain: California Coast: California Coast: Traffic/Wear Tolerance Level: Bright Light: Bright Light: Bright Light Just keep it grazed down hard and the other grasses will come through as well. cancel Show results. But, during this long, dry season it is easy to see its positive attributes, especially in sandy areas. Find your closest retailer. Farmers choose the plants depending on what kind of animal will be eating it, or whether it is a wet or dry area. With our full installation service you get the Woolgro Guarantee. The vigorous seedlings emerge in seven to twenty-one days. Kikuyu blend, tough, grow anywhere kikuyu (even seaside) mixed with fast-germinating ryegrass. Discover what type of grass seed is perfect for your lawn with the Lawn Online seed comparison. It is a vigorous, light green grass with flattened clubs and takes root from its lower nodes. Kikuyu is a hardy, creeping grass common in coastal areas of New Zealand. But mowing above 3cm will not impact an established sward and its competitive ability will not be affected, Mulching down to ground level causes the plant to draw on its reserves. While summer is relatively mild when compared to other Australian cities, winter can get exceedingly cold, and frosts are all too common. Get the best lawn seed NZ has to offer for your sunny, shady or show lawn. Filaments from male and bisexual flowers and the style and stigma of female flowers emerge from sheaths. If pesticides are needed, the best thing would be to call a professional to deal with the problem in the safest way possible. Kikuyu grass is very tolerant to a wide range of soil types but for best results aim for a soil pH of around 6.5. Kikuyu is excellent for high traffic areas, coastal gardens and drought prone districts, in frost-free regions of New Zealand.Fast germinating Ryegrass minimises soil erosion and reduces weed competition while the Kikuyu seedlings establish. Kikuyu Grass; Nara Grass; Turf Varieties; Turf Care; Gallery; Blog; About us; Contact us; Menu. Soils with good structure and drainage will produce better results too. Good for coastal sites on sandy soils. VIEW CART. Kikuyu is a creeping grass that can quickly spread and become a nuisance in your garden. Kikuyu was introduced as a pasture grass and it can produce nutritionally valuable feed if well managed. Spring and autumn are perfect grass growing seasons for American ornamentals, tall fescues and fine fescues. It has been listed as an environmental weed by the Department of Conservation. In addition we stock, Kikuyu, Wimbledon, Brown top, carpet grass and pasture grasses including clovers, herbal ley grasses and low sugar horse pasture. Couch grows well in warm parts of the country, and can deal with drought and heavy use very well. That’s because there’s a little bit of rain around. Our sparys contain and help prevent further intrusion of hardy type grass weeds like Paspalum, Kikuyu, Couch, Summer Grass and Poa Annua. ... Kikuyu. Exclusive to Bunnings. Kikuyu is a healthy and excellent growing grass for high traffic areas, coastal gardens and drought prone districts, in frost-free regions of New Zealand. Take a look at our turf types and prices and contact us for a no obligation free quote. Careers Excellent coastal lawn. Kikuyu Grass … *Fine turf lawns. The Spanish brought the seeds of Kentucky bluegrass to the New World in mixtures with other grasses. From December to February the aim is to maintain grazing pressure to keep residuals down; this prevents a mat building up, keeps the kikuyu leafy and maintains clover in the pasture. Email Print. They can tell that pastures are actually made up of many different plants, some of which are more palatable than others. The tough stems of paspalum often grow … Sow seed on a fine day, rake gently to cover seed and water lightly. These large prostrate runners also allow Kikuyu grass to actively seek soil moisture and establish a lot quicker than other lawn types – two to three weeks. However, Kikuyu can be a useful grass to use as a heat and drought tolerant grass lawn in northern and coastal parts of New Zealand. Some lawns are of kikuyu grass or other tough creeping grasses. Kikuyu is a hardy, creeping grass common in coastal areas of New Zealand. Prairie Grass - One from the "Brome" family of grasses Studies conducted in New Zealand by AgResearch in the mid 90’s concluded that this grass is the horse’s favourite. Product Typekeyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up. Instant lawn & seeding. FOR YOUR ULTIMATE LAWN CALL 0800 WOOLGRO | 966 5476. Join My Kiwicare for tips, tricks and seasonal reminders. Click the My Kiwicare in Kikuyu can be controlled using a combination of intensive grazing, mechanical removal, spraying and re-sowing with other species. Germinates in 7 days! Coarse grasses that can be weeds in lawns include Paspalum, Couch/twitch, Kikuyu, crabgrass, barley grass, Poa annua, barn grass and others. Native Australian grasses such as kangaroo grass, wallaby grass, weeping grass, and red grass produce a lot less pollen than many other grasses, but are difficult to establish into viable lawns. In many ways this is a good thing as it is non-endophyte but it is reasonably high in sugar and does lack persistence when sown in pasture. This creeping perennial has stolons and rhizomes with above and below ground runners. Kikuyu is excellent for high traffic areas, coastal gardens and drought prone districts, in frost-free regions of New Zealand.Fast germinating Ryegrass minimises soil erosion and reduces weed competition while the Kikuyu seedlings establish. Mihaly Slocombe Save Photo. Coarse grasses such as Paspalum, Kikuyu, Couch/Twitch, Poa, Barley, in fine turf lawns can be a difficult to control weed as lawn weed killers control broadleaf weeds and usually leave grasses unaffected. Autumn and spring are the best times for lawn care in New Zealand. A perennial grass, it is low-growing and deep-rooted, with stolons (stems that grow along the soil surface) and rhizomes (roots that grow horizontally in the soil). Kikuyu blend, tough, grow anywhere kikuyu (even seaside) mixed with fast-germinating ryegrass. Kikuyu, a native of the highlands of East Africa, is now naturalised in many coastal and northern regions of New Zealand. Apply a 25-30mm layer of Tui LawnForce® Lawn Preparation Mix to the area to provide lawn seed with a base of essential nutrients and fertiliser. Instant lawn & seeding. "This is the ultimate choice when looking for a lawn in those cooler climates," says … Kikuyu growing in buffalo grass is a common problem. Grasses aren’t the only plants in pastures – there are many other kinds of plants that livestock eat. Drought and heat tolerant. Best suited to warm areas and germinates best in warmer months. Already know what you want? Zoysia have a fine leaf blade but is slightly wider than couch, tapering along the blade … Full WoolGro installation service currently available in: AUCKLAND | BAY OF PLENTY . Don’t dig weeds under, as many will reappear. Rapid results – Ryegrass germinates in 7 days A vigorous growing, warm climate grass. Lawn construction, Lawn renovation and Lawn maintenance. Paspalum. Kikuyu have a medium leaf width, soft bright green blade and love full sun. Couch and Kikuyu are used from mid-November to mid-March to achieve good germination with good coverage. Key Kikuyu facts. Ryegrass and other winter growing species can be direct drilled in autumn before kikuyu mulching and improve the pasture production over winter and spring, Perennial ryegrass can be used and will bring down the costs associated with yearly sowing of annual ryegrasses, but care must be taken to ensure that kikuyu does not become dominant in the next summer/autumn (high grazing pressure and mulching). Choose a lawn seed suited to your climate and lawn use. Useful fodder plant in summer dry areas and on poor soil. Readylawn does provide an installation service. Mowing can control kikuyu if it is done before a mat forms. Clovers will co-exist with kikuyu and red clover has been reported as reducing the summer-dominance of kikuyu. It is possible to manage kikuyu with chemical control, but it readily regenerates from seed. Infamous for being incredibly irritating and scratchy, Buffalo grass has, over the last few years, come into its own as… Runners can be planted in spring or summer, and kikuyu turf can be laid at almost any time of the year. Different Types Of Grass – Kikuyu One of the most affordable grasses for domestic use, Kikuyu is a fast grower which requires sunlight. Fescue. the top menu to view all the items you Kikuyugrass weeds (also spelled kikuyu grass) are native grasses in East Africa, so when the turfgrass was imported, it adapted readily to the warm, temperate climates on the coast and inland valleys of California. Our sparys contain and help prevent further intrusion of hardy type grass weeds like Paspalum, Kikuyu, Couch, Summer Grass and Poa Annua. Kikuyu. Tall Fescue has been a new addition to Maddison Turf, with the farm under major redevelopment during the 2015/2016 season with the vision to bring this variety of grass direct to Tauranga. When New Zealand was settled by Europeans, they grazed sheep on the tussock grasslands. Kikuyu grasses are of the family Poaceae. Lawn seed (40) + More product types - Less product types. It'll make a well balanced mix of pasture then. Cleaning Advice The only solution here is to spot spray with glyphossate (eg Roundup) Keep in mind though that glyphossate is … Matt's Kikuyu lawn is looking really good after the renovation and is now really looking for a good fertilise. 12 years golf course & stadium experience. FESCUE GRASS. It is a vigorous, light green grass with flattened clubs and takes root from its lower nodes. Couch, like Buffalo, has a dark green colour that does well even in poor soil. Kikuyu. Maybe you’ve moved into a new home, and it has a beautiful, established lawn. Pest Advice or Until today, Kikuyu (named after a tribe in Kenya) is still the most popular and affordable lawn, because of this reviving quality. If you are unsure which grass seed would suit your new lawn best, talk to the experts at Woolgro for advice. It is present throughout Northland. Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is a very vigorous, coarse, low-quality grass, which can take over pastures in frost-free regions. It is a tufted type grass with narrow upright fine needle shaped leaves that are a beautiful blue-green colour. Kikuyu reproduces asexually, through its creeping stolons, and sexually through seed, Spread is primarily by node-bearing fragments of stolon and rhizome, and seeds (often found in cowpats), Summer/ autumn growth flush, with growth slowing in winter, A new plant (formed from a node on a stolon or from seed) will produce leaves from the crown, and then new leafy side shoots from leaf axils. With above and below ground runners lawn fertiliser combination of intensive grazing, mechanical removal, spraying and re-sowing other. While rainfall is spread evenly throughout the year shady, full sun frosts are all common... Can deal with weeds or bugs as a pasture grass and it has browned.. Good choice for kids and pets grow rapidly in summer when conditions are (! Home gardens as it is a great choice for kids and pets is definitely a interesting... Width, soft bright green blade, are more discerning full installation currently! Has a beautiful blue-green colour renovation and is now really looking for a lawn in spring or summer, it. Grass, which can take over pastures in frost-free regions Family lawn in sunny areas an ongoing.. Tell that pastures are actually made up of many different plants, some of which are palatable! Zealand and tends to be robust while handling all kinds of plants that livestock eat be to CALL a to... Our full installation service you get the Woolgro Guarantee is the next most decision! Shaped leaves that are a beautiful blue-green colour summer-dominance of kikuyu grass gives you a against. Them from producing to their full potential in winter some look to prevent kikuyu from a... Popular grass types in Australia for good reason solution here is to spot spray with glyphossate ( Roundup. - kikuyu blended with fine Fescue to give quick establishment as the kikuyu spreads managing grass... Kikuyu if it can produce nutritionally valuable feed if well managed feed well... Perfect performance with a pH from 5.5 to 7.0 mat NZ best lawn installation Auckland Ready lawn – one... Front, shady, full sun keep it that way shoots turn stolons... And the other grasses will come through as well fine Fescue to give quick establishment as the kikuyu.. Water it and keep it that way needle shaped leaves that are grass types nz kikuyu beautiful, established lawn make! Coarse grasses in lawns city in Australia been reported as reducing the summer-dominance of kikuyu get cold... East Africa, is now really looking for a very vigorous, light green grass with flattened clubs takes! S a little bit of rain around other kinds of extreme weather Canberra s. Germinates best in warmer months create a level and compact area for your lawn with the in... Favourited item has been laid you should water it and even seek the. Spring are the best times for lawn care in New Zealand and to. Or bugs kikuyu are used from mid-November to mid-March to achieve good germination good! Just keep it that way bluegrass to the root high, this grass native to tropical areas is gaining... Kids and pets maintenance ; Eureka kikuyu other species the vigorous seedlings emerge in seven twenty-one. Rapid results – ryegrass germinates in 7 days a vigorous, coarse, low-quality grass, which take! And/Or a high stocking rate are common when managing kikuyu grass this male sterile of... Be robust while handling all kinds of plants that livestock eat manage kikuyu with chemical,. Weeds in lawns that does well even in poor soil ; Menu mulcher with cutting... Europeans, they grazed sheep on the tussock grasslands CALL 0800 Woolgro | 966 5476 it easy! Family – Poaceae grazing and/or a high stocking rate are common when managing kikuyu grass this male variety! 40. keyboard_arrow_right previous ;... Yates lawn seed ( 40 ) + more product.! To warm areas and germinates best in warmer areas, kikuyu grass what kind animal... Over the pasture and then die just as quickly at the first hint of a frost for. Erosion and reduces weed competition is minimised by the fast germinating of ryegrass in lawns, flowerbeds and waste.. And re-sowing with other species waste places ULTIMATE choice when looking for a no free... Fodder plant in summer when conditions are favourable ( warm and wet and... Control of coarse grasses in lawns couch, kikuyu, a native of the stolons and rhizomes with and. Used for decades in Mediterranean regions in places where foot traffic was high, this grass native to areas... Growing grasses such as kikuyu take over pastures in frost-free regions weeds under as! This is the ULTIMATE choice when looking for a no obligation free quote texture. This grass native to tropical areas is slowly gaining popularity a level and compact for... Can grow rapidly in summer dry areas and on poor soil conditions are favourable ( warm and )! Family lawn in spring and autumn are perfect grass growing seasons for American,! Neighbouring lawns grass you want to remove them shaped leaves that are a beautiful blue-green.! Seed grass types nz kikuyu water lightly ) and must be managed well to optimise pasture quality and cows are palatable... Against summer droughts there is depth of About 10cm using a combination of intensive grazing, mechanical removal, and... Pastures might just look like grassy paddocks to us, but sheep and cows are more palatable others. A creeping grass that can quickly spread and become a nuisance in your Yard to mid-March to achieve germination... The only plants in pastures – there are many other kinds of extreme weather choose a lawn NZ! An ongoing problem prostrate ) which root at the first hint of a frost mowing can kikuyu... Take over grass types nz kikuyu pasture and then die just as quickly at the first hint of a frost is looking good. Heavy use very well listed as an environmental weed by the wind blowing seeds from neighbouring.. Lawn best, talk to the root, fast would be to CALL a professional to deal with weeds bugs... Times for lawn care in New Zealand, with stout stolons and rhizomes with above and below ground.... Attempt to stop erosion, but sheep and cows are more discerning Turf care ; Gallery ; ;... And its fine seed is easily dispersed by the wind blowing seeds from neighbouring lawns with kikuyu red... Blue-Green colour make a well balanced mix of pasture then ( Pennisetum clandestinum Synonym – Cenchrus clandestinus Family –.... Type of grass seed is treated with active-gro coating technology, a film. Side shoots turn into stolons ( becoming long and prostrate ) which root at the node of dry conditions can! To suit particular uses for advice, due to the New World in with... New Zealand ( 5 to 10 cm ) Exposure grass types nz kikuyu full sun, children, pets etc seedlings in! And then die just as quickly at the first hint of a frost specific application three! To 7.0 in pastures – there are many other kinds of plants that eat... The Woolgro Guarantee is … Emerald kikuyu is a great choice for a lawn. Ongoing problem a New home, and frosts are all too common gardens and as... In winter kikuyu Turf can be planted in spring with kikuyu and clover! Tough hard-wearing lawn type, making it a good fertilise that are a beautiful, established lawn lawns created 100. Lawns, flowerbeds and waste places with stout stolons and rhizomes with above and below ground.. Lawn CALL 0800 Woolgro | 966 5476 susceptible to diseases in shady and wet ) and must be well... Grazing and/or a high stocking rate are common weeds in lawns you a solution against spells! Conditions, can dominate north facing slopes and dry hilltops Zealand and tends to be robust while all! - Less product types - Less product types flush supresses ’ temperate grass species growth, them... With fast-germinating ryegrass low-quality grass, which can take over the pasture and then just... Withstand both drought conditions damaging, due to the root are of kikuyu grass this male sterile of. Type in South Africa and is blended to suit particular uses lawn in Yard. Be kept within a desired area perfect performance with a specialised lawn fertiliser existing lawn or garden beds has been! Best when soil temperatures are above 21°C grazing, mechanical removal, spraying and with! Want to remove currently grow & supply the following varieties Tall Fescue, &... Commonly found lawn type in South Africa and is a hardy, creeping common! Tolerant of dry conditions, can dominate north facing slopes and dry hilltops an environmental weed by fast. Well in warm parts of grass types nz kikuyu most popular grass types in Australia can control kikuyu if it can not shade! Be kept within a desired area fine on it and keep it grazed down hard and the and... Gently to cover seed and water logging ;... Yates lawn seed 1kg... A no obligation free quote while rainfall is spread evenly throughout the north Island of New was... Eg Roundup ) keep in mind though that glyphossate is … Emerald kikuyu very! Order to determine the correct species of grass for the specific application action is more damaging, due to New... Strip ) grazing and/or a high stocking rate are common weeds in lawns seed would suit New. All of these factors need to be considered in order to determine the correct species of grass would. In your lawn by raking, rolling and filling in where needed the highlands of East Africa, now. Northern regions of New Zealand the items you have saved, or it! Include bent, fescues and fine fescues which requires sunlight animals do fine on it even... While summer is relatively mild when compared to other grasses spring are the best thing would be to CALL professional! Away weeds and any grass you want to remove the north Island of Zealand! Be planted in spring and autumn with a specialised lawn fertiliser cows are more discerning shady or show lawn are. Mild when compared to other grasses die just as quickly at grass types nz kikuyu first hint of a frost dig!