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Cutting Back
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Posted by aman17 6 (My Page) on Sat, Sep 15, 07 at 21:54
I have some zebra grass and another one without the stripes(don't no the name) can I cut them back in the fall or must I wait till late march?Thanks for your help
arnie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cutting Back
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| Why would you want to cut them back in the fall when they're at their best? Wait until spring. |
RE: Cutting Back
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- Posted by donn_ 7a, GSB, LI, NY (My Page) on
Sun, Sep 16, 07 at 6:15
| You can cut them back in late fall if you like. You're in a warm enough zone to do that. Just be aware they will be more exposed to very cold weather, and be ready to protect them in the event of a very cold snap with no snow cover. The winter foliage traps all sorts of leaves and other detritus and provides protection to the crown of the grass. If you take it down, you'll have to be prepared to give that protection if it becomes necessary. In zones colder than 6, I wouldn't recommend it. |
RE: Cutting Back
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| Why do people answer someone else's question with a question? I was coming here to get an answer for the same question because I need to move my zebra grass and want to do it now. At least someone gave a legit answer. instead of judging WHY someone might want to do something, just answer the question. Or at least answer it WITH your opinion. If you must know why I want to do it now, it's because I have health issues and I need to do physical labor when I am able to. So there is ONE reason why someone might want to cut back their zebra grass NOW, but do people really have to dig up their personal life just to get an answer to a legitimate gardening question? |
RE: Cutting Back
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| wynnie, It sounds like your question is quite different from the one re: cutting back . If you want to actually dig and transplant now, I'd be very cautious about doing so without providing enough time prior to first frost for the grass to establish again for winter. You're in a warmer zone 7, but I'd still provide at least 6 weeks prior to first frost or wait till spring to transplant. Zebra grass is a warm season grower. You could get away with transplanting a cool season grower in the fall. If you dig your zebra grass this fall, mulch heavily and cross your fingers. As far as the cutting back, I'd say it's personal preference. I love the look of winter grasses, but there are situations that require a cleaner kept landscape...particularly in commercial applications. There's something to be said for the protection provided by the standing grass during winter, especially in times of warming and cooling yo-yo periods. Zebra grass will not have a hardiness issue being cut back in fall in zone 7. |
RE: Cutting Back
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| I'm going to second grass guy's advice :-) When I was in hort school, the specialist that instructed the class on ornamental grasses warned against dividing warm season grasses in fall and was even very cautious in recommending planting them in fall. And this is in zone 8! The reason is that once they set flowers and seeds - the plumes - in late summer, the roots immediately enter a period of dormancy triggered by day length and cooler temperatures. A dormant root system can be a real handicap to establishment and the fact that it will remain dormant throughout the harsh winter months makes working with warm season grasses during this period pretty risky. If absolutely necessary to do so now, I'd say crossing the fingers is pretty good advice :-) Success is just going to be a real toss-up! |
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