Kenda® Kikuyu – Sun loving and hard wearing

Drought tolerance

Due to its large prostrate runners and excellent growth rate Kenda Kikuyu copes well under drought conditions.

With water restrictions and hot weather becoming an issue across much of Australia, Kenda grass is an ideal choice.

After dry weather, Kenda grass quickly re-establishes once water is available making it perfect for homeowners in areas where water restrictions are often enforced.

High wear tolerance

Kenda Kikuyu’s strong root system grows quite vigorously resulting in a lawn that establishes quickly, is incredibly wear tolerant and has an excellent recovery rate.

In fact, Kenda grass is the only turf variety to have extra-large prostrate runners and four times as many rhizomes compared to other Kikuyu varieties, making it incredibly wear tolerant with an excellent recovery rate.

Bright green year-round

Kenda grass is a tough lawn and still has the added key feature of been bright green.

Kenda turf also has a slightly greener colour than regular Kikuyu and will stay green during winter as long as it is maintained.

Soft to the touch and underfoot

Kenda Kikuyu’s dense green leaf is what makes it soft to touch underfoot and ideal surface for kids and pets to play on.

Less spreading and allergenic symptoms

Common Kikuyu and seeded types regularly produce viable seed which spreads into places you don’t want (such as garden beds) and the seed heads can also cause problems for allergy sufferers.

Kikuyu, Kenda is bred to be sterile and produce a minimal seed head.

This reduces its likelihood of invading surrounding properties or causing problems for allergy sufferers.

Mowing

Kenda Kikuyu grows more horizontally than vertically, meaning it will be a smaller height than other Kikuyu lawns when unmown.

Kenda grass is also more uniform and has a denser appearance than common Kikuyu.

Like other grass types in Australia, to maintain a good-looking lawn it is preferably to regularly mow your Kenda lawn or it will get untidy and thin out.

Mow your Kenda Kikuyu every 7-10 days in the hot months and every 3-6 weeks during the cooler months.

Mowing height for Kenda Kikuyu will vary from 25mm-50mm in sunny/lightly shaded areas and 50mm-70mm in heavier shaded sites.

Watering your new Kenda Kikuyu

Newly installed Kenda grass has important water needs to ensure it becomes firmly established.

Begin watering your new Kenda Kikuyu within half an hour after it has been laid and apply at least 2cm to 3cm of water so that the soil beneath the grass is very wet.

To establish your new Kenda lawn make sure it is wet enough to pull back a corner of the turf and push a screwdriver or other sharp tool into the soil – it should push in easily when there is enough moisture.

Make sure water is getting to all your newly laid Kenda grass and water to all corners and edges.

As the Kenda grass begins to establish its new roots into the soil, it will be difficult, impossible/or harmful to pull back a corner to check the soil moisture – just push your sharp tool through the grass and into the soil.

Long-term watering

Once your Kenda turf is established, infrequent and deep watering is preferably for your new lawn because the roots of your Kenda grass will only grow as deeply as its most frequently available water supply.

Deeply rooted Kenda grass has a larger “soil-water bank” to draw moisture from and this will help the grass survive drought and hot weather that rapidly dries out the upper soil layer.

Once the root system is full established water your Kenda lawn when slight wilting is visible – during Summer this is usually every 7-10 days (on sandy soils more often) and much less or no water in cooler months.

The best time to water your Kenda grass is early morning – night watering is not recommended.

Fertilising

For your Kenda Kikuyu to remain strong and healthy fertilising is a must.

One month after laying your new lawn, use a slow release fertiliser on your Kenda grass.

For established lawns, we recommend using a good quality slow release fertiliser at least twice a year on your Kenda grass – first in April and then again in September.

If your Kenda lawn needs a quick green-up then try a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen, for example a Supergreen or an organic based slow release fertiliser.

Slow release fertilisers are generally better for Kenda Kikuyu and more cost effective.

However, during summer avoid over fertilising your Kenda lawn or using manure-based products.

Weeds

If weeds infest your Kenda grass, first try hand eradication before seed head develops or apply a suitable weedicide at your local garden centre.

Pests and Diseases

Kenda Kikuyu is resistant to common pests and lawn diseases compared to most other lawn varieties.

However, as with all grasses if problems occur, we recommend:

Pests – watch for Lawn Grub (for example Web Worm or Army Worm) and African Black Beetle and if found apply suitable pesticides according to the label’s directions.

Diseases – as Kenda Kikuyu has very good disease tolerance this is usually not an issue, however, if you have concerns speak to your local garden centre for advice.

Kenda Kikuyu can be laid anytime of the year but as with all grasses spring is always the best time for the new lawn to establish.

Kenda Kikuyu can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Your local grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.

Price-wise – Kenda Kikuyu is also one of the most reasonably priced grasses between $9 and $16 per square metre. To get more Kenda Kikuyu pricing info, visit our Kenda Kikuyu info page and get 3 quotes from your local growers today.

Maintenance: Kenda Kikuyu is low maintenance compared to other Kikuyu grasses but does need regular mowing in hot months.

Water efficiency: Kenda grass has a deep root system which means it is an efficient water user during hot months – especially in drought conditions.

Drought tolerance: Kenda Kikuyu’s strong deep roots mean it has a high drought tolerance.

Wear tolerance: Kenda Kikuyu’s strong root system which grows vigorously results in a very wear and tear tolerant lawn.

Colour: Kenda grass has a slightly greener colour than regular Kikuyu and stays greener during winter.

Establishment: Fast to establish – usually about two to three weeks.

Shade tolerance: Kenda grass has low to moderate shade tolerance.

Kenda Kikuyu FAQ’s

• How fast does Kenda grass grow? Kenda Kikuyu grows more horizontally than vertically, meaning it will be a smaller height than other Kikuyu lawns when unmown. During summer months it grows faster if left unmown.
• Is Kenda Kikuyu a couch grass? Kenda is not a couch grass but a Kikuyu variety.
• Will Kikuyu grass grow in the shade? Kenda Kikuyu will grow in low to moderate shade sites but, ideally likes full sun conditions.
• Best time to plant Kikuyu grass? The best time to plant Kenda Kikuyu is anytime – but springtime is recommended for effective establishment.
• Can Kikuyu turf be laid in winter? Kenda Kikuyu can be laid during the winter but due to cooler months may be slower to establish.
• How long does Kikuyu grass take to grow? Kenda Kikuyu grass takes about 3-4 weeks to establish.
• How often should you water Kikuyu grass? Water your Kenda grass when wilting can be seen in the leaves – usual every 7-10 days in the summer and much less in cooler months.
• What does Kikuyu grass look like? Kenda Kikuyu has a bright green colour with a fine to medium leaf blade that is very soft to touch.
• What is the best length to cut Kikuyu grass? The mowing height for Kenda Kikuyu will vary from 20mm-50mm in sunny/lightly shaded areas and 50mm-70mm in heavier shaded sites.
• What type of grass is Kikuyu? Kikuyu is a perennial favourite for lawns throughout Australia and renowned for its strong green lush growth, drought hardiness and wear tolerance.

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