Are you tired of seeing pampas grass in your lawn?
Did you know that you can get rid of them in two different ways?
If you are one of the many who is unsure if what they have in their lawn are pampas grasses and you are planning on getting rid of them, then the information below will surely be beneficial.
Pampas grass or scientifically known as the Cortaderia Selloana is a grass that flowers and are commonly seen in South America. The pampas grass can grow for as long as ten inches in height that can look stunning.
This is the reason why more and more people are growing this type of grass for the purpose of aesthetic. But there are also individuals who are more than eager to remove this grass in their lawn, especially the one who is in the crop gardening.
It may be nice to have this type of grass in your garden, but you should know that the also pose a serious threat. This is mainly because the majority of the gardeners today do no actually consider this type of grass as a kind of agricultural weed.
This also means that they are not advisable to be planted with any crops.
Get to know the reasons as to why they are not advisable to be planted along with your other crops in the garden below:
Deep Seated and Large Roots
One of the reasons as to why they are not advisable to be planted with crops is because they can’t easily be killed. This is mainly because of their roots that are known to be deep seated.
In fact, their roots can grow up to 3 and a half meters in depth. That is why if you want to get rid of the pampas grass, you need to ensure that you will be digging deeper, for you to be able to get to their roots.
Ability to Prolifically Seed
Pampas grass can bear flowers once they start maturing, which means that you should expect them to multiply because they can germinate quickly.
In the course of a lifetime, the number of seeds that germinate can be millions. This is why people who are using this grass for aesthetic purposes can benefit from the germination process of the plant.
But if you are into fruit and vegetable gardening then even a few pampas grass can be a threat. According to experts, it would be best to kill the grass as early as possible since once they start to flower, they will immediately multiply.
Pampas Grass is Extremely Competitive
For people who don't know, pampas grass are known to be extremely competitive. This just means that if you grow them beside other types of crops, they will start competing for the soil's nutrients.
This can cause for your crops to not have the needed nutrients for them to be able to start bearing fruits. The worse possible scenario that can happen is that the plant might die after the long run.
Now that you know the reasons as to why getting rid of pampas grass is advisable, it would be best for you to know how to get rid of pampas grass. Some people may think that they can easily be burned, but this will only make things worse because the fire will make the grass to grow rapidly.
Best Ways To Finally Get Rid of Them
Controlling Pampas Grass Using Chemical
Using chemical is one of the best options today because it can easily be used by most gardeners today. If you want to ensure that you will be able to kill them immediately, then using the right herbicide is your best option.
Using Haloxyfop Herbicide
Haloxyflop herbicide is a kind of chemical that can be used to control specific types of grass. But you should know that using this kind of herbicide can cause environmental issues and as well as health concerns.
If you pursue to choose this herbicide than spraying at least 150 ml of haloxyfop to newly cut pampas grass is ideal for you to be able to get rid of them.
Using Glyphosate Herbicide
Using glyphosate herbicide is the most common type of chemical used to get rid of pampas grass. You can start spraying 100 ml of this chemicals for every 10 liters of water which you can then use to water the pampas grass and eventually get rid of them.
Removing Pampas Grass Manually
Removing pampas grass manually is possible especially if you do this at their earliest stage. It can be a task that is tedious, but this will help ensure that the grass won't be able to grow back soon.
Here are some tips on how you can manually remove the grass:
- Before digging the grass roots, it is essential to use the grasses that are tall using shears. The shears should be sharp enough for you to cut the grass easily.
- Once you are done, you can dig the roots out, and you need to ensure that there will be no root that will remain underneath the soil. If you are having a hard time digging, you can hire someone to do this for you.
- When working on your pampas grass, it would be best to wear pants and gloves because the grass can cause itchiness and the blades of the lawn are pointed.
- Lastly, if you have crops planted nearby, it would be best to harvest them first before you start digging. This will ensure that you won’t be harming the plants.
These are all the tips on how to get rid of pampas grass and all the information as to why you should remove them.
Always make sure to choose the right herbicide and the good method that you are most comfortable working on. In this way, removing your pampas grass won’t be as daunting as it seems to be.
Read also: 5 Best Commercial Weed Eaters
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I have dug out all the pampas grass, but much of the root system is still in the ground. I have large trees on both sides and we have removed the grass with a tractor. How do I continue to continue killing the grass?
Hi,
Thank you for your question! Removing pampas grass is not an easy task and it may take several years before you are rid of it permanently, so be prepared for the long haul. The roots can grow as deep as 11 feet into the ground, so even though pulling it out with a tractor is a good idea, it may not be completely effective.
You need to take a two-step approach – firstly, removing new plants and growth manually as it appears and before it starts to develop flowers and seeds. Secondly, you can use a herbicide like a glyphosate or sethoxydim solution to kill the roots.
Fortunately, glyphosate and sethoxydim are safe to use around mature, established trees. However, it’s important to apply it carefully so that the spray doesn’t drift onto nearby leaves and branches. Choose a still, windless day, and remember to cover your own eyes, hands, and mouth to prevent contact with the herbicide.
Thanks,
Ann