How to Grow Grass Plants

Grass plants (known as ornamental grasses) add an interesting texture to the garden. Successful gardeners know the trick to growing ornamental grasses lies in understanding how they respond to temperature. These grasses fall into two categories: cool weather grasses and warm weather grasses. Both grasses may be planted in spring or fall. Spring planting is best, because it gives the plant time to develop a strong root system.             

Instructions

1. • 1
     Plant cool season grasses in the spring, and they will start to grow right away. These grasses have better foliage quality in cool weather and in drought conditions if they are watered generously. When they turn brown during drought conditions, due to not enough water, they have gone dormant. Divide them frequently to keep them healthy and thriving, or they might die out in the middle. Wait until spring to cut the brown, winter-damaged foliage on these plants. Examples of cool season grasses include plume grass, hardy pampas grass and northern sea oats.
   • 2
     Plant warm season grasses in the spring, but they will do best when the weather really warms up. Once the weather is stable and the soil becomes warmer, the warm season grasses will start to show growth. These grasses brown out in the fall, but wait until the beginning of spring to cut them back 4 to 6 inches. Warm season grasses do not need to be divided as frequently as cool season grasses. Examples of warm season grasses include big bluestem, little bluestem, blue lymegrass and
     feather reed grass.
   • Learn how to prepare corn, beans pasta, etc. for long term storage
   • 3
     Prepare the soil for cool and warm weather ornamental grasses in the fall. Preparation is the same for cool and warm weather grasses. Add organic matter such as compost to the soil and till deeply. Add about 1 lb. of general purpose fertilizer such as 10-10-10. That will be sufficient until the next fall season.
   • 4
     Place a light layer of straw or hay over plants during the first winter and mulch after several hard frosts.
   • 5
   • Water plants uniformly after planting. This speeds up establishment. When planting, don't plant too deep or disease and root rot may result.
   • 6
     Cultivate around the grasses to control weeds. Mulch will also help control weeds and control reseeding of aggressive plants.
   • 7
   • Leave foliage on in winter to protect the crown of the plant from freezing.
   • 8
     Divide plants in the spring if they suffer from die-out in the center. They may also be divided in late summer or fall
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