If you need to add volume and texture to your garden, there might be no better option than planting ornamental grasses. You can find them in several varieties. Each comes with different characteristics and colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. For instance, you can find compact species that grow well even in containers, or larger ones, perfect to create a hedge or border. If you have unwanted grasses in your yard, you may be wondering, ‘how to kill ornamental grass.’
But one thing not many people take into account is that ornamental grasses might be challenging to remove. Indeed, once they establish themselves in your garden, it will be hard to get rid of them.
Indeed, most are hardy and will spread fast under ideal growing conditions. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to keep yours in your garden if you don’t want them anymore.
In this essential guide on “how to kill ornamental grass, you’ll learn everything you must know about removing them from your yard in the most effective ways.
How to kill ornamental grass
There are several ways to get rid of unwanted ornamental grasses in your yard. Here’s how to kill ornamental grass:
Manually Removing the Plant
One of the better ways to get rid of ornamental grasses from your garden is to dig them up. Don’t forget that some species are invasive. So, consider calling a specialist or researching the better tools to carry out the procedure.
Depending on how long your ornamental grass lived in your garden, its root system might be more or less extensive. Consider cutting your plant down to about two inches from the ground. This step will allow you to have no doubts about the plant’s spread.
You might have to divide your plant if it is too big. Doing so will allow you to remove the plant without struggling too much. Use the shovel to divide your ornamental grass into large clumps if necessary. After that, force the shover into the ground and pull it up. Get all the roots of your plant.
Sometimes, an established ornamental grass might be hard to remove. You can soften the ground around it by drenching its roots with water. Once you dig up the plant, you must dispose of its remaining adequately (especially with invasive species). Avoid putting it in your compost pile to prevent it from germinating again.
Don’t expect all your problems to vanish after digging your ornamental plant from the ground. Sometimes, new seedlings might emerge. However, if you remove them as soon as you notice them, you’ll be able to add a new plant with no issues.
Use a Vinegar Solution
Home-made solutions might take time to be effective, but they can be a suitable answer to some of the most common issues gardeners face. For instance, making a vinegar solution will effectively remove ornamental plants from your garden without harming your yard or threatening your pet’s and kids’ health.
Cut your ornamental grass about 4 inches from the ground before applying the treatment. Then, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and a couple of drops of dishwashing soap. If your plant is large, consider pouring the solution around its roots.
If you prefer spraying the mixture, do so on a calm day to reduce the chances of accidentally applying it to other plants. Reapply the treatment until your ornamental grass dies. That will allow you to remove the plant without too much effort.
Apply A Herbicide
Another way (which you should consider your last resort) to remove ornamental grasses is to apply herbicides. While they can be effective, chemical products might cause issues to beneficial insects and the surrounding plants.
However, a herbicide will guarantee better results. Don’t forget to follow the instructions you find on the product’s label and be careful not to add the solution around other plants. Also, if you have pets or kids running around your garden, ensure they don’t get in touch with the herbicide.
Solarization
Alternatively, you can try solarization. This method is effective (and doesn’t require much work from your side), but it isn’t ideal if you need a fast solution.
However, if you are not short on time, solarization will help you effectively remove your ornamental plant without threatening other species in your garden.
Cut your plant to the ground and water the soil with a hose. Then, cover the area with plastic (when it is still moist) and secure the edges with some weights.
Leave everything as it is for six weeks or so. As the sun penetrates the plastic, it bakes the ground and kills the ornamental plant’s root system.
Related Article: When to Transplant Ornamental Grasses?