The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 2 Spring 2012 | Page 25

The Zimbabwean Gardener

The different varieties of grass
There is a wide variety of grasses available, but here are some of the most common types found in Zimbabwe.

Kikuyu grass

Buffalo grass

Feeding your lawn

Watering

Just remember that
fertilising will help establish
a thick weed free lawn.

In winter, the grass is not growing as
vigorously so you can afford not to water
as much. However, you do not want it
to die off so water when necessary. In
winter, make sure you water only in the
morning to give your ground time to warm
up. Generally, you should never water at
midday, as the water will be evaporated.

Pennisetum clandestinum
Kikuyu is one of the most popular grasses,
as it is a tough, coarse grass that gets finer
with regular mowing. It does tend to be
invasive and is difficult to eradicate once
established. Regular watering is required
to give it a lush look.

There is no hard rule on fertilising your
lawn as it all depends on how much
water you have as well as how much
you are willing to spend on fertiliser.
Just remember that fertilising will help
establish a thick, weed free lawn.

Generally, Lawnfert is the best fertiliser
to use, as it is rich in nitrogen, which is an
essential nutrient to get a lush green lawn.
Scatter one handful over a square metre
and make sure you apply it to dry lawn.
As soon as you have scattered it, water
it in immediately, otherwise, apply it just
before rain. Some fertilisers tend to burn
lawns if not watered in.
If you have access to water throughout
the year, apply fertiliser every 6 weeks in
summer and every 8 weeks in winter. If
you do not have much water, apply it as
soon as the rains have come or when you
think your lawn needs a bit of greening
up. When the weather starts to cool off in
May, it is not necessary to fertilise as grass
stops growing in the cooler months.

Stenotaphrum secundatum
Buffalo is a hardy broad leaf indigenous
grass, which is best suited for gardens that
do not have much access to water. Buffalo
lawns are also low growing and therefore
require less maintenance.

Durban grass

Dactyloctenium australe
Durban grass is a wonderful soft emerald
green lawn, which grows well in full sun
and shade. However, the wonderful soft
lush look comes at a price, as it requires a
lot of watering.

Like feeding, watering all depends on
how much water you have available and
the type of lawn you have too. Generally,
if you have water, water once a week in
summer and fortnightly or monthly in
winter.

To get a water wise lawn,
water it well once a week as
this will encourage deeper
root growth.
In the hot dry months, increase your
watering to weekly or more if you have
the access. During the wet months, if
there is a dry spell, water when necessary.
To get a water wise lawn, water it well
once a week as this will encourage deeper
root growth.

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