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Using Ornamental Grasses
Although often overlooked, ornamental grasses can add grace and motion to your
garden thanks to their strap-like foliage that will sway even in the gentlest breeze. Many varieties also feature fluffy flowers and seed
heads that will last throughout the winter, attracting birds and adding winter interest to the garden.Like other varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses come in many different textures, colors, sizes and flower forms. In addition to a varied collection of green hues, foliage and flower colors also include red, pink, purple, tan and white. With sizes ranging from dwarf 1 foot varieties to 9 foot giants, these grasses can be used in containers or borders, as a groundcover or to create a living screen.
Site Selection
Most grasses prefer full sun to light shade and a well-drained soil, but some types will tolerate other conditions. Take note of your light and soil conditions and then check your plant tag or our online gardening catalog before you select your varieties.
Planting Instructions
Proper planting technique is instrumental to the overall health of your plants. Follow these simple instructions to make sure your ornamental grasses get off on the right foot:
- We recommend spacing your plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. This will give your grasses plenty of room to grow and fill in the space.
- Next, prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches, then mix in a 2-4 inch layer of compost.
- Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in.
- Remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently.
- Water thoroughly.
To ensure happy and healthy grasses, apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2" layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Appropriate watering is crucial, especially during the hot summer months. A deep watering 2-3 times a week will provide your grasses with the necessary moisture they need to thrive.
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Lawn Watering Guide
Extended periods of hot weather during the summer can take a toll on your lawn, especially areas that are fully exposed during the day. Without the
benefit of an adequate supply of water, your lawn can endure severe stress, making it more susceptible to insects, disease and unsightly browning.
A regular watering regimen will solve this problem.When to Water
Watering your lawn first thing in the morning (even before sunrise) is generally considered the best time to water. By doing so, you'll give the water an opportunity to soak in before it has a chance to evaporate, and any moisture that doesn't take to the soil will be gobbled up by the hot summer sun. If you water in the evening, you run the risk of any excess water sitting on your lawn and fostering fungal damage.
How to Water
Your lawn's roots will only travel as far as the water does, so light watering will result in roots that stay near the surface. Deep watering will therefore encourage deep root growth, so it's extremely important to provide the right amount of water to your lawn. It also means less frequent watering because it will take longer for the soil to dry out.
We generally recommend a 1-2 inch application twice a week by watering for 5 minutes, then allowing the water to soak in for 15 minutes, and repeating until the desired amount has been applied. This will not only conserve water, but also reduce runoff.
Watering Devices
If set-up and placed correctly, a sprinkler system will consistently cover your entire lawn and can be programmed to water as frequently as you need it. Just remember that water tends to pool around the base of sprinklers, so rotating their locations even on small lawns is a good idea. If your lawn is too large to be covered by your present amount of sprinklers, either purchase more to ensure total coverage or move them to dry areas after one area has received an appropriate amount of saturation.
Too Much Water
Many people feel that if a little water is good, then more of it must be better. This is not the case when it comes to watering your lawn. In fact, more problems occur from over-watering than under-watering. By applying too much water to your lawn, you can wash away essential nutrients from your lawn and leave pools of unabsorbed water that will encourage fungal spores and disease.
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