How To Cut Back & Divide Ornamental Grasses In Early Spring: People like to use ornamental grasses in their landscaping because they look good, have a nice texture, and don’t need much care. But you need to take good care of them so they look good every year.
How To Cut Back & Divide Ornamental Grasses In Early Spring
For example, in early spring, cut them back and divide them. If you want your ornamental grasses to be strong again this season, here’s everything you need to know:
1. Timing is Key
Decor grasses should be cut and split up early in the spring, before they start to grow new leaves. This gives new growth a lot of time to grow and do well while the plants are still growing.
This job should be done before the grass grows, which can happen any time between late February and early March depending on where you live.
2. Gather Your Tools
Get the tools you need for the job together before you start. Sharp pruners or hedge clippers to cut the grass, a strong shovel to break up clumps, gardening gloves to protect your hands from the leaves, and a blade to make cuttings and divisions. Needs either a wheelbarrow or a tarp.
3. Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses
First, take a look at your ornamental grasses. Use sharp pruners or hedge clippers to cut the whole clump back to just a few inches above the ground.
Get rid of any brown, dead leaves or old flower stalks before the next growing season. If you don’t cut close enough to the plant’s top, you could hurt the new growth.
4. Dividing Ornamental Grasses
It’s time to divide your ornamental grasses if they are getting too crowded or appear to be dying back.
Start at the edges and work your way toward the middle with a shovel to carefully break up the whole clump. When you pull the clumps out of the ground, be careful not to hurt the roots.
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5. Separating and Replanting Divisions
Use a sharp spade or garden knife to cut the bunch into small pieces after you’ve picked it up. Every part needs to have its own roots and a good place to grow.
Throw away any parts of the clump that are diseased or dead. Plant the divisions where you want them, leaving at least 12 to 18 inches between each one so it can grow.
6. Prepare the Planting Site
Before you plant the divisions again, you should loosen the soil and add organic matter, like compost or old manure, to get it ready for planting.
That way, the grasses that were just split up will get the food they need to grow quickly and well. Make sure the roots can reach the soil by giving the planting area a lot of water before and after you plant.
7. Water and Mulch
After replanting, give the divisions a lot of water to help the soil settle and the roots grow. Put some shredded bark or straw around the base of the plants as organic mulch.
This will keep the soil moist, keep weeds out, and keep the soil’s temperature stable. Not too wet, but just damp enough to hold the plant while it grows.
8. Maintenance Tips
During the growing season, keep an eye on ornamental grasses that have just sprouted for signs of stress, like leaves that are wilting or turning yellow.
You should water the soil as needed when it’s hot and dry outside. Use a balanced fertilizer in the early spring and again in the middle of summer to help the grass grow and bloom well.
Conclusion
Follow these steps to prune and divide your ornamental grasses in early spring. This will make them look better, stay strong for the growing season, and make them healthier. If you take good care of your ornamental grasses, you can enjoy their beauty and easy charm year after year.
