The unusually wet spring has resulted in perfect growing conditions for a couple of pasture species, the sometimes-maligned kikuyu, and the always-love-to-hate African Lovegrass.
Kikuyu is flourishing at the moment, showing lush leaf growth and producing runners to enable the plants to spread across bare ground (and up shed walls, where applicable!)
Kikuyu is regarded by some farmers as a pest and by others as a saviour. The truth is, that, in the right places, it is an ideal choice, but in the wrong places it can be a problem.
In highly productive pastures and under irrigation, it can out-compete improved species, but in light soils, prone to wind erosion, and in areas of low fertility, it can be a godsend.
Home gardeners would be aware that, while it makes for a strong and durable lawn species, if it invades a vegetable patch or flower bed where it is not welcome, it can be difficult to control.
