How do I renovate my kikuyu lawn with bare dirt patches, weeds and uneven terrain?

[Tim20]

  

  

 

Hello everyone

I’m in coastal Victoria and getting ready to do my first full lawn renovation before spring and summer, but I’d like some advice from members with more experience. My lawn is kikuyu and, as you’ll see from the photos, it currently has a lot of bare dirt patches, weeds and uneven ground.

My plan:

• Scalp, scarify and core aerate in late October or early November (once the weather warms up)
• Level and topdress with either a 70% washed river sand / 30% sandy loam mix or something similar
• Lay instant kikuyu turf in completely bare areas and let runners fill in the rest
• Fertilise and follow a watering schedule to help recovery

Questions:

1. Is 70% sand / 30% sandy loam the best topdressing mix for kikuyu?
2. In larger bare areas, is it better to seed or lay instant turf for fastest recovery?
3. What’s the best weed-control approach before starting and pet-safe products?
4. For uneven sections, could I just mow low, then scalp, scarify, aerate, level with topsoil and finish with instant turf?

Any tips on the proper approach, planning, or product recommendations would be much appreciated.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Will_2000. It's marvellous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about renovating your lawn.

Your plan is solid and well-timed. A 70% washed river sand / 30% sandy loam mix is good for Kikuyu, improving drainage and helping runners establish, though adding a bit more loam or compost in poorer soil can help with water and nutrient retention. 

For larger bare areas, instant turf will give the fastest recovery, while letting existing runners fill smaller gaps works well. Before renovating, use a selective pre- or post-emergent weed treatment, or remove weeds manually after mowing low and before scarifying. Most weed treatments are pet-safe when following the directions. They'll stipulate how long pets need to be kept off the area for.

For uneven sections, mow low, scalp, scarify, aerate, then level with topsoil before laying turf to ensure good soil-to-turf contact. Water lightly but frequently at first, then gradually reduce frequency while increasing depth, and use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser once the turf is established.

You might like to check out @homeinmelbourne's amazing Lawn renovation of their Kikuyu. I'm sure it will get you enthused!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Tim20]

 

Thanks for getting back to me Mitchell, I appreciate your helpful response.

I just have a couple of questions I’d like to clarify before moving ahead with the renovation.

I’ve attached a photo with the circled area showing where the stones are. Should I remove all of the stones in the soil from the old garden barriers before renovating, or can I simply topdress over them?

Also when it comes to watering, how long should I run each section of lawn to ensure the soil is soaked deep enough without flooding or washing it away?

I understand I’ll need to keep the turf moist during the first few weeks, but I’m unsure on the ideal number of minutes per section, how many times a day, and how often per week? 

Cheers. 

[MitchellMc]

Those stones are right in the zone where the Kikuyu’s roots will be growing @Will_2000, so I’d recommend removing them before you level and topdress. That way, your turf will have an easier time establishing, and you’ll avoid drainage issues or dry spots caused by soil gaps around the stones.

For watering, the goal is to soak the soil to about 75–100 mm deep without causing pooling or runoff. The exact time depends on your sprinkler output, so it’s worth doing a quick test: run your sprinklers for a set time, then check soil moisture depth with a small spade or probe.

For new turf, keep the top layer moist for the first 2–3 weeks — typically 2–3 light waterings a day for 5–10 minutes each, depending on weather. Once roots are established, reduce to deeper, less frequent watering (e.g., every 2–3 days for 15–20 minutes), encouraging the roots to grow deeper.

Mitchell

[Tim20]

Hey Mitch, just a quick one about topdressing.

Do you think it’s fine to use sand/soil bags from Bunnings, if so which product do you recommend?

Or

Would you recommend going through a supplier to get the proper 70% washed river sand / 30% sandy loam mix?

Cheers

[MitchellMc]

The soil will likely have too high an amount of bark in it, @Tim20. I'd recommend you use a topdress mix or order a bulk delivery of topdress through our Special Orders team.

Mitchell