 Mulching-
Put
some mulch, which could consist of oak leaves or salt hay, around the grasses
for winter protection. Bamboo plants are better protected with the
mulch covered in between their stalks. Mulch is also good to protect
plants from weeds and to stabilize temperature in spring and early summer.
Fertilizer-
Use a fertilizer that contains
nitrogen. Do not use fertilizer too often because it would make the
plant grow rapidly, which causes them to be weak and unhealthy. Annual
fertilization is suggested to be 1-2 pounds consisting of 5-10-10 or 5-10-5
per 100 square feet of garden.
Pruning (perennial grasses)-
Remove the previous year's growth
in early spring or late winter with large pruning shears up to 6 inches
off from the ground. Smaller grasses can be pruned with hand clippers.
Division (perennial grasses)-
Dig up the entire plant and
divide the plant into smaller several plants or pieces. Tools that
can divide up older root systems are an ax with a sturdy arm and a hacksaw.
In general, perennial grasses should be divided every 5-10 years.
Some species require more or less frequency of division. The necessity
of division is determined by plant growth. If a plant has edges that
grow outward and the core is dormant the plant needs division and if grass
grows uniformly it can be left in the ground for a longer time.
Staking (Tall grasses)-
Surround the grasses with string
and use 1 to 2 tall, sturdy posts on the outside of the stalks. Staking
helps support tall, flowering stems from collapsing. In order to
conceal the string and the posts it is best to consider the location
in the garden before planting.
 Ornamental
grasses can be treated as shrubs or large herbaceous perennials.
|
