How to keep shaded Kikuyu lawn green in winter?

Murlun

My Kikuyu lawn does pretty well in spring and summer but once winter comes, it gets almost no sun in a portion (right side of photo) of it because of the fence.

that side seems to be quite wet often over winter because it doesn’t get sun to dry it after rain.

any tips on how I can keep it in green over winter? I’ve given it Scott’s lawn builder fertilizer recently and occasionally top it up with a liquid fertilizer.

previous years the left part does pretty well but the right part gets bad, then rejuvenates in spring

MitchellMc

Hi @Murlun,

It’s a common issue with Kikuyu—it loves warmth and sun, so those shaded, damp areas in winter can really set it back.

Since the right side stays wet and lacks sun in winter, consider improving the drainage in that area if possible. Compacted soil can trap moisture, so even just aerating it with a garden fork might help it dry out more quickly after rain.

You might also try overseeding that section with a cool-season grass like ryegrass. Ryegrass handles shade and cold better than Kikuyu and can give you some green cover through winter. It will die off when the warm weather returns, allowing the Kikuyu to take over again.

If you're up for a longer-term solution, you could explore alternatives like shade-tolerant turf varieties (e.g., Sir Walter buffalo) for that portion, though mixing them with Kikuyu can sometimes look uneven. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell