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How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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Posted by rocketman_2007 NSW (My Page) on Sat, Feb 24, 07 at 20:48
| Hi Everyone...
I have a relatively new couch lawn (about 9 months old), the trouble I have is that Kikuyu grass is slowly invading the lawn and taking over.
I spoke to the man at the local nursery who told me that since Kikuyu is a type of lawn then most of the lawn weed killers will not kill the Kikuyu (because it's a grass not a lawn).
I've tried to remove it by hand, but it's quite a large lawn and it's always beats me (ie it grows faster than I can pull it out).
The other option I have read about is to mow it very low and it will die. Trouble is that this will definitely kill my couch lawn too, which is more delicate than the Kikuyu. And I know from experience it burns badly if cut too low.
Does anyone have any ideas? Ideally I'm after a spray I can use that will kill broadleaf grass like Kikuyu but not kill the couch. I have seen a product advertised in the US called "Turflon Ester" but I'm unsure if it is ok to use on Couch and also unsure about where/if I can get it in Aus.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!
Rod.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| g'day rod, mmm yes kikuya is a very hardy grass so makes a very drought tollerant lawn, the only way i have ever combatted it was to dig it our generally after rain when the soil is soft, tedious and hard on the knees yes, and persistance pays off. you could of course dig those sections out some dirt and all and lay new turf, or zap the wholea area of lawn with a chemical to kill all grass then relay new turf. before the lawn was laid was there any action taken to remove any other grasses before laying the turf? len |
Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| Rod, there is an arsenical herbicide that picks out paspalum in lawns. I'm not sure if it will kill Kikuyu selectively as well. I think it used to be sold as Passtox. Just a thought. |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| The only way to eliminate Kikuyu from among other grasses is in the context of native grass lands. We generally wait until summer when most of the native grasses go dormant and dry due to the dry conditions while the Kikuyu becomes green and active. We then spot spray it with glyphosate. We may brush cut the area first to reduce the clutter and then wait for the Kikuyu to come back. The damage to the native grasses is minimized in this way. |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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Good news Rocket,
There's anew product out that selectively controls Bindi, Nutgrass, Poa & Kikuyu in Couch turf.
Check the link. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Monument info
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| Why on earth grow couch when Kike is much better? |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| Monument is a commercial chemical so legally you need to be licenced to use it. |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| G'day Rod Did you ever have any joy - we've the identical dilemma. Paul |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| Same here, I dont know why a landscape gardener would install cooch knowing that Kikuyu is a more dominant grass. Im just going to let the kikuyu grow through my cooch. seems like a loosing battle and the cooch isnt very hardy. |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| I had the much maligned common Kikuyu turf laid on both my front & back lawns 28 years ago.It is still superior to all other domestic lawns including the new hybrid buffalo varieties.It's benefits are:It stays green all year round despite severe frosts. It easily self repairs quickly despite the efforts of 2 cattle dogs and 3 very active children.It is soft enough to frolic on. It is easily maintained provided that: You use a mulcher mower.This saves having to water it and stopping to empty the lawnmower catcher.Dont scalp it when you mow it.This will cause it to look nicer than next door's lawn and also shade out weeds.In short,let the kikuyu take over and be the envy of the street during the winter.Also have good edges and a suitable edger. |
RE: How to stop Kikuyu grass invading my Couch lawn
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| if your prepared to do some work to keep it out than I can give you alot of tricks. in turn you will have a superior lawn (best in the street). couch will come up alot nicer than kikuyu due to its finer leaf. requires less water. dont listen to people that say its way too hard to look after, they just have no idea and should not bother. If you want let me know and ill give you the ins and outs. Im actually doing a hebicide trial based on this topic. |
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