Rescuing a dying struggling Kikuyu lawn

Responding to a request for help from a mate, His Kikuyu lawn is just a shadow of its former glory, Time to lend a hand and get it looking mint again
Welcome to The Aussie lawn
My name is Brenton and I have a trade qualification in Greenkeeping.
You can follow me on instagram: @the_aussie_lawn
Facebook: / theaussielawn
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[@brickfork401]

Thanks for that mate it's Bryce and it's already coming back

[@theaussielawn]

No worries mate hope mum hasn’t kicked dad out yet 😂

[@brickfork401]

@@theaussielawn not yet lucky for him 😂

[@simonn4964]

I’ve watched all your vids, and this idea of going to the viewer’s place by far is a game changer for lawn vids on KZbin. By actually going to & working on people’s lawns is far more meaningful & interesting than weekly updates on what is your own manicured lawns. Different lawn problems with showing a range of solutions opens up the interest factor for the viewers. I really hope this idea catches on & can’t wait on your update in 2-3 weeks. Well done! 👍

[@theaussielawn]

I definitely agree mate but the time involved is almost prohibitive in my current life situation. That being said as the right lawns / opportunities arise I’ll definitely tackle them

[@phillipmills474]

@@theaussielawn please contact me if you want to do a job/vid down in Mussy on a buffalo lawn

[@Shiruba.60]

Yeah really enjoyed seeing this

[@theaussielawn]

@@phillipmills474 email me a pic mate and I’ll have a look see .

[@calebevans8437]

As you can see the dog actually passed out a few times from the shock of what happened to dads lawn😂 it's always amazing what you drag up from the lawn when you use the 46

[@theaussielawn]

Haha yeah poor dog was in a state of disbelief

[@chisel83]

Victa and Bon Scottar, an iconic Australian duo, great harmonies to my ears 👍

[@theaussielawn]

So good hey !

[@mickdemi6]

What a iconic Aussie backyard Hills hoist Victor 2 stroke mower Trampoline And the good old Kikuyu dry as the Simpson desert

[@theaussielawn]

It’s such a great yard

[@OverlandUnknown]

Excellent video guys, so much good info and the process, cheers

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks mate

[@scotthampton7724]

40 yo victa 2 stroke. Love it.

[@theaussielawn]

It’s actually a little newer than that it’s a 91 model it’s fully loaded with self drive and key start (just needs a new battery) and a new belt for the self drive

[@Shiruba.60]

Forget about kikuyu maintenance, I need your man's leg maintenance routine.

[@theaussielawn]

CrossFit 😝

[@rustyinspirations]

A square one 😮. This is gonna come back a treat. Look forward to the update 👍🏻😃

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah it didn’t register with me at first Dylan but then it sank in, this is a square pattern 😂 apparently it’s already starting to come back really well

[@frankneidhardt]

Best of luck - can't wait to see the result in a few week.

[@theaussielawn]

Update will be following for sure mate

[@Mat-rd1pe]

Cant wait to see how this goes. Go the mighty 2 stroke, those things are weapons 😍

[@theaussielawn]

I know 😍 ahh the sounds of yesterday, Australian design and manufacturing I love that mower

[@matthewfarrell317]

That a baby wobbler, I have 2 of the large ones in our front yard food forest (70 sq metres). And you are right, the pair take 3 hours to get a little under an inch. But where they are superior is the drops are like rain, so are much more gentle, and in that environment wouldn't recommend anything else. On the lawn.... they are best at watering kids haha.

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah for sure mate and I agree too. Thing is if people leave them running long enough then they will work but unfortunately people think 3 hours is too long etc . It’s a case of if you know then you know 😉

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@theaussielawn that's with 2, I'd need 6 hours with 1. I think the problem is people have been trained to see it as wasting water. Which is sad but understandable. Although atm trying to work out if the rainbird rvan will throw enough high to water the lawn and kids lol I don't want to water the lawn for 3 to 6 hours, I have other things to water lol.

[@paulthomas3782]

Great to see the Victa 2 banger performing it magic, sure was a lot of dead material there. Thanks for the tip with the small Nylon rain gauge i have been using a plate pot saucer Cheers Brenton.

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah rain gauge is a sweet trick . Love that victa its a rare to have one in such good condition for its age too. (1991 build )

[@athomewithstodsie6543]

Bloody keen to see how this turns out! Pearler of a vid mate👍🏻

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate

[@restoblastrestoblast154]

Perfect timing Brenton, i intend to de thatch my lawn tomorrow, with the bluebird style machine. Thanks for the video.

[@theaussielawn]

No worries mate good luck with your reno

[@restoblastrestoblast154]

@The Aussie Lawn I'm in QLD, so hopefully still time, in between work commitments.

[@restoblastrestoblast154]

@The Aussie Lawn Brentton, can i ask, if i build a 20" verti, can i just bring the height up & still use it as a groomer and just do more passes, to compensate for the wider spacing ?

[@andrewlangford88]

Damn, that's some thatch

[@theaussielawn]

It’s full on hey mate

[@velcroman11]

A really very interesting video. Lots of good info. Thanks Brendan for making these videos.

[@theaussielawn]

No worries mate glad u enjoy them 😎

[@tims728]

Great stuff. Kikuyu has its place in the Aussie yard. Need to manage the runnners and its pretty good value. Regarding Wobblers, often used for low pressure irrigation sites, eg water tanks low head pressure etc. I'd be doing a pressure and flow test at the point where the wster is connected to eg bore or mains etc. You discussed 12mm twice a week, thats perfect for kikuyu, in South Australia a water audit was conducted I think in the late 90's by industry and sporting ovals etc to be in top nick would require around 25mm in the peak, eg Feb during high heat low rainfall. As a benchmark figure the amount can be adjusted just like fert requirements and mowing heights during the growing season. Always hard to know what to include and what to lesve out for a show, lots of good info still in the video today however. Using a calibrated water gauge is a very wise tip. You could do a distribution, pattern of uniformity assessment on the lawn too, that would be good and provide useful insights. Cheers mate, good job😉🍻🤠👍🐕🇦🇺

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks Tim yeah 💯 right re the wobblers. Also good for the bio cycle 🔄 waste water tanks people have on rural properties. Can’t believe summer is fast approaching the end already 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@jffro]

Very interesting regarding to irrigation…Pete may want to put in some above ground temp irrigation pop ups & or full irrigation

[@theaussielawn]

It’s definitely something to consider if he wants to travel that route

[@marknolen7878]

Great content, that scarifier is a beast. I think a lot of people go wrong when it comes to watering so great to see this being covered. Wonder if it’s worth using a sumi soaker hose to irrigate lawn in one go

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah possibly but a sumi soaker is a substantially larger investment than a $10 button sprinkler

[@antonyv8171]

I’d always thought those little square sprinklers were useless. I think he should have opted for a quality long bar oscillating sprinkler, he has quite a rectangular backyard so they would work pretty well? With that square one it looks as tho he may need to move it so 6 different spots or so to cover the full lawn properly?

[@theaussielawn]

The little button sprinklers are really effective. Yeah the oscillating sprinklers are pretty good too but really in a whole different price point too.

[@antonyv8171]

@@theaussielawn true, but surely if a lawnie wants his lawn watered perfectly, he’d opt for the slightly pricier sprinkler. You gotta love watching it water the lawn with a cold one🤣🤣

[@rixman2]

Hey Brenton - love the vid! Can I just ask whether it might be too late in the season to do this in Sydney now?

[@theaussielawn]

na mate it will be fine but definitely get it done nowish by end of month its getting a bit late

[@weburnitatbothends]

What do you reckon about rainwave sprinklers, I reckon they rock if you leave them do their stuff like a soaker

[@theaussielawn]

They are good too, providing the wind don't pick up

[@weburnitatbothends]

@@theaussielawnyou inspired me to buy a new second hand lawn mower mate a Honda HRU196, it's got the dodgy half chute but shoud be good for my backyard, realy looking forward to the first mow tomorrow or Sunday!

[@theaussielawn]

Oh well done mate my dad has that one its fine for day to day stuff you will love it @@weburnitatbothends

[@dangibson5855]

This is awesome. Did you mix all but the grannular feed in the back pack sprayer, or were they all seperatly applied?

[@ALLAUS]

The ki out front of mine is doing the same thing, turns out the Maggie’s are letting us know there’s grubs about

[@theaussielawn]

Ohh hopefully your lawn isn’t bout to become army worm fodder . This particular lawn was just parched no actual grib activity

[@grantis80]

When using a scarifier, how does it go around the sprinklers? I have bore system and the Kik hasnt been scarified in over 15 years (since Ive lived here). There is irrigation and there are a couple of dead patches near the Frangipani trees. Ive treated for worms twice which has improved but still have the dead patches. Thanks

[@theaussielawn]

Just mark your sprinklers with paint or a peg and go around them if you are likely to hit them as if the scarifier hits one it will stuff it well and truly

[@johnchapman9700]

Did the sprinkler spray in a square pattern?

[@theaussielawn]

Yes it did mate

[@lachlanpratt8057]

Timely video Brenton! I have a similarly sad looking kikuyu lawn that hasn’t grown well despite my best efforts. I gave the new-to-me lawn a mild spring renovation e.g. scalp & core aeration, removed most weeds by hand, feed it monthly with Powerfeed + seaweed + wetting agent + molasses and quarterly with compost top dressing. I’m on medium clay with a thin excuse for top soil so have focused on improving the soil structure and health. It looks thin, patchy and brown in spots, but isn’t thatchy - that would require growth! I water somewhat weekly for 20-25 mins per area with a round metal sprinkler. I suspect the soil is very compacted and constricting the roots after three extremely wet summers as much of the yard pooled water until I started working on it. Keen to see how your friend’s lawn turns out as I’ll be taking notes. Thanks for putting up these videos! PS If you’re stuck for content, I’d be very interested in a video on organic vs synthetic lawn care approaches. Many in the Australian lawn community are gung-ho on synthetic whereas the US is more open to organic e.g. use of Milorganite fertiliser and peat / compost applications.

[@theaussielawn]

Yours might be a situation where a synthetic product will give it a well needed boost then try swapping over to your organics liquid etc. But that’s only based on what I’ve read vs what I’ve seen of your lawn 😎

[@lachlanpratt8057]

Thanks for the reply Brenton! Might be time to give it a go. 🙂

[@phillipmills474]

i need your scarify down here in Mussy on my buffalo

[@chrislewis3322]

Are all those chemicals safe for dogs to walk on? I cant block off a section

[@theaussielawn]

I can confirm my dog Max has never had any issue with the products and often follows me along while applying them

[@10mmsocketAdventures]

I'm with you on the Kikuyu, not the biggest fan.

[@theaussielawn]

But I feel I needed some kikuyu content too 😎

[@10mmsocketAdventures]

Roger that.

[@fortune214]

Why not use the plant doctor wetting agent in this situation? Is it not as good?

[@theaussielawn]

Plant doctor soil wetter is a good product used regularly. As I know this lawn won’t see soil wetter again anytime soon I wanted something with more punch

[@fortune214]

@@theaussielawn so if I was just to buy one or the other hydrolink is a better performer?

[@theaussielawn]

@@fortune214 yes but it’s also a heap more $$$$

[@fortune214]

@@theaussielawn fair enough then. I guess it’s the old “buy once, cry once principle”

[@dylan8285]

Should just buy 2 or 3 impact or rotary sprinklers, a hose timer and some hoses and setup for full coverage and there u go an automatic system keeps it watered

[@theaussielawn]

Its probably a good solution an other issue that caught me off guard there was the poor water flow / pressure so It probably wouldn't work in practice unfortunately

[@dylan8285]

@@theaussielawn oh yeah that’s a problem would have to run each one separately. He could get a little 12v booster pump tho, something that will push 70-100psi. Or if he wants to go in a little more buy a really strong pump that pushes a lot more psi and flow and a large water tank to draw from.

[@MmeDesgranges]

... now ...

[@theaussielawn]

I’m not sure what you mean ?

[@shaunray6660]

Thats a tonne of rubbish coming up!

[@theaussielawn]

It’s nuts hey

[@thegreenandgoldlife1464]

I'll say nothing

[@mickdemi6]

Long overdue content missing from this channel.

[@theaussielawn]

😂😝

[@anthonybrattoli3934]

I still enjoy poisoning this stuff from my couch 🤣

[@lukeallison88]

Honestly, it looks like the army worms are back and you just wasted time and money doing a renovation on a grass type that really doesn't need much maintenance at all. The army worms are likely under the thatch layer, eating the roots, hence why the lawn is drying out (it can't take in water). The customer was right - it was time for Acelepryn (and/or neem oil), not scarifying and fertilizing.

[@theaussielawn]

I definitely appreciate your input Luke, I'd like to think being a trade qualified greenkeeper I can differentiate pest attack vs a dry conditions side note Acelepryn is active in this lawn.

[@lukeallison88]

Ok then I look forward to seeing that lush lawn in your update.

[@WOODZY_]

Just playing catch up on your content👌 Great lawn rescue video m8 Lawns are going off in mackay. Got the PGR trying to put the handbrake on growth on the buffalo and even the zoysia. Have a great weekend champion🍻

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers Woodzy yeah it would be pretty humid up your way atm I’m guessing place would be looking lush as

[@jasongarbutt4242]

Mate, you can hide your hatred of kikuyu behind some brilliant reno video, but I remember seeing you treat poor Dans kikuyu runner with roundup. All it wanted was a little drink and you ripped into it, lol. Maybe your just racist to certain types of green grass, you zoysia loving grass guru, lol. Great video mate, loved it. Good to see you back on a regular basis.

[@theaussielawn]

Bahah cheers Jase