Laying Mulch
Mulch provides many benefits in the garden and landscape. Not only does it enhance the garden bed’s beauty, but it also helps many plants as they begin to emerge flush, ensuring maximum growth. Mulch holds water and nutrients in the summer, keeping the water run off to a minimum. Acting as an insulator, it holds heat in the winter which is especially good for the root ball of the plant. Freshly laying mulch in the spring is crucial as it is a critical time to suppress weed seeds.
Cutting Ornamental Grasses
First, you’ll need to find out if the grasses in your yard are cool season or warm season grasses. Cool season grasses grow most in the spring before temperatures begin exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down. They generally maintain good color through the summer but do not grow much when it is hot. Warm season grasses won’t start growing until mid to late spring or even early summer. Their major growth and flowering happens during hot weather. Typically, they will turn shades of brown for the winter.
Cut back warm season grasses in the fall or by mid to late spring. Once the grasses turn brown, you can trim them back at almost any time. If you like to tidy your garden in fall or if you live in an area where there’s a fire risk, trim warm season grasses so they are just a few inches tall. If you live in an area where fire generally isn’t a problem you can leave the dried grasses and seed heads in your garden for winter interest. Snow or ice encrusted ornamental grasses can be quite beautiful. If you leave the trimming until spring try to make sure to cut them back to the ground (you can leave a couple of inches) by late spring, before new growth begins.
If your grass is growing a bit too large for its space in the garden, you can divide the grass after it has been cut back. Replant the divided grass elsewhere in your yard to enhance other areas.
Knowing which type of plants you have and the best time to cut prune will ensure that you get the healthiest growth and prettiest blooms from your ornamental grasses. When in doubt, consult with your landscaper or a gardening expert before cutting, so that you don’t inadvertently do more harm than good.
