Pampas grass is a large perennial ornamental grass with spiky leaves and large flower plumes that can grow 8 to 12 feet tall.
If the pampas grass is in the wrong place, if it has rotted in winter due to wetness or if the ornamental grass is generally not supposed to grow in the garden, the only option is to dig it up but it is not that easy to get rid of pampas grass when it is fully grown.
We will be talking about how to get rid of pampas grass from the garden so that you can continue cultivating what you really love.
Many gardeners value pampas grass because it grows so quickly, forms a dense privacy screen, and bears decorative flowers. In smaller gardens, size can be an issue as the ornamental grass narrows pathways and poses a threat with its razor-sharp leaves.
But you can easily reduce pampas grass by cutting it off. Also, It is important to do the pruning at the right time and pay attention to certain points. Good intention cutting at the wrong time can be very damaging to plants.
Why Should You Get Rid of Pampas Grass?
There can be many reasons for this. Perhaps the previous owner has already planted it and now you do not like it. Pampas grass also grows very tall and spreads widely. In an unfavorable location, the ornamental grass then gets in the way, so that sometimes doors can no longer be opened.
Pampas grass develops razor-sharp leaves. They’re so sharp you could cut a steak with them. The ornamental grass is therefore not entirely harmless, especially if children and pets use the garden. This can also be a reason for the removal of the perennial.
How To Dig Up Pampas Grass
- Cut off the root ball all around
- Dig up roots
- Pierce pampas grassroots
- Take out piecemeal
Since the earth around the pampas grass is very solid, wait a day after it has rained for a long time. Alternatively, you can water the area around the plant heavily several times. Then the soil is easier to work with
Get Rid of Pampas Grass By Cutting
If digging up is too time-consuming and exhausting for you, you can try to get the ornamental grass to rot by getting too wet.
Always cut the newly growing leaves and fronds down to the ground immediately. Moisture penetrates the roots through the stems and causes them to rot. A rotten root ball is much easier to remove.
It can take a long time, sometimes more than a year, to get rid of the pampas grass just by cutting.
Expose part of the nest or dig up the root as much as possible. With a sharp spade, either pierce the center of the root or separate individual pieces of root from the edge.
If you would like to use the root parts obtained by cutting them off for propagation, they should be at least the size of a man’s fist
If no propagation of the pampas grass is planned, you can also use a saw or an ax to reduce the root ball. Just make sure that you do not damage any new shoots in the middle because the ornamental grass will then no longer bloom.
Most Important Instructions
- Cut down flower plumes as soon as they appear, to prevent pampas grass from spreading seeds further around your yard.
- Put on gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Cut the pampas grass leaves with scissors. Cut to the crown of the plant.
- Dig out as much of the pampas grassroots as possible. Dig in a wide circle, about 6 feet in diameter around the pampas grass, and pull out as many roots by hand as possible.
- Spray any remaining roots or growth with root killer herbicide. Reapply the herbicide every so often new growth appears, or every three to four weeks until the pampas grass shows no signs of revival.
The Best Time For Stabbing
Opinions differ as to when the best time to cut off pampas grass is. Some gardeners do this work in the spring, others get to work in the fall.
If you divide the perennials in autumn, you must ensure good winter protection.
Scoop Out The Pampas Grass In The Bucket
Pampas grass in the tub also gets bigger and bigger over time. If you don’t want to keep buying new pots, cut out the pampas grass in the spring. Then you have to report the perennial frequently anyway
Use Chemical Agents
There are chemical products on the market for removing ornamental grasses and other plants. However, its use harms the environment. Such preparations should therefore only be used in an absolute emergency.
However, it is important to know that cleaning the top of the leaves is primarily a cosmetic. From a purely biological perspective, this is not necessary. Dead leaves come out on their own over time and are filled with newly sprouted leaves. This means that pampas grass does not have to be cut annually.
So the pampas plant grows again in the new season, you should fertilize your ornamental grass at the beginning of the new season. Organic fertilizer such as compost, which is simply spread thinly, is ideal.
Moreover, pampas grass and its varieties can be propagated in late spring by dividing them like other ornamental grasses. To do this, you prick a piece of plant with a shovel, put it in a pot, and let it first grow in a sunny location.