Page 26 - Issue-137

Thriving Through WinTer: SmarT TipS

for KiKuyu LaWn Care and WaTering

ccepting your kikuyu lawn’s
winter dormancy is a prudent and
aenvironmentally responsible choice,
especially in all areas of South africa where water
conservation is essential. your grass can enter
a state of graceful dormancy without needing
to be watered if you recognise and honour its
natural cycles. here Water Wise explains how to
maintain kikuyu lawn during the winter season
while using much less to no water, building
resilience, and making sure it returns to life and
vigorous growth in the spring season.

• Wait for the rains to start in late spring before
awakening your kikuyu from its dormant state.
• newly installed kikuyu will only require more
water during its settling or establishment
period. gradually decrease the frequency of
watering after this phase.
• in summer, water in the early morning or
late afternoon as this reduces water lost to
evaporation.
• use a trigger nozzle if watering kikuyu with a
hose.
Dormancy in Lawn Smart Maintenance of Kikuyu
dormancy refers to a period where growth of the • Stop mowing your lawn; with reduced grass
grass temporarily slows down, and grass goes growth in winter, longer blades insulate roots
into a resting state for one season. Kikuyu always and soil from cold temperatures while roots
goes dormant during winter, where the grass will remain active.
turn brown. however, brown kikuyu grass does • during the winter season, do not apply any
not mean it is dead; it has simply gone dormant. fertilisers.
dormant kikuyu does not need to be watered; • as spring approaches, prepare for weed
it is ‘resting’ and conserving energy for the new emergence on your lawn by hand-picking or
growing season. dormancy is a natural way for
Kikuyu lawn to conserve moisture and nutrients in cold spot-treating weeds with organic herbicides.
Pennisetum clandestinum, commonly known and dry seasons. it is therefore not necessary to This article was co-authored by Rand Water: Water
as kikuyu, is the most widely used lawn grass water your kikuyu during winter.
in South africa. it is native to east africa and Wise and Evergreen Turf with the goal of raising
awareness among the public and customers
has an aggressive growth form, which means it Water Wise Watering of Kikuyu
can become invasive and take over indigenous • avoid frequent watering of kikuyu when it is about sustainable practices for watering and
maintaining kikuyu lawns.
grasses. Kikuyu is drought tolerant, inexpensive, dormant.
and easy to maintain because it can grow in • Check your lawn in the morning to assess
areas where most grasses cannot. however, it is moisture levels. if it seems moist, water once #BeWaterWise
sometimes considered the highest user of water every 10 days depending on the weather.
in comparison to other commonly used turf • When the lawn appears to be dry, water once a
grasses. Kikuyu is mostly planted as an instant week and only in the morning (between 6 am –
lawn for sports fields, golf course construction 10 am) until optimal moisture is reached.
and rehabilitation. it has a mat root and a • avoid watering in the evening to prevent
herbaceous growth habit. it however doesn’t prolonged moisture on the grass, which can
grow well in shaded areas. lead to fungal diseases.