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Ornamental Grasses: Causes of Lodging and How to Fix It
Ornamental grasses are a popular choice for landscaping because they are relatively low-maintenance and can add a touch of elegance to any garden. However, one common problem that gardeners face with ornamental grasses is lodging, which is when the stems fall over.
What Causes Ornamental Grasses to Lodge?
There are a few different factors that can contribute to ornamental grasses lodging, including:
- Too much nitrogen in the soil: Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, but too much nitrogen can cause the stems to become weak and floppy.
- Overcrowding: When ornamental grasses are planted too close together, they compete for sunlight and nutrients, which can also lead to weak stems.
- Drought stress: Ornamental grasses need regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. If they don’t get enough water, they can become dehydrated and their stems can become weak.
How to Prevent Ornamental Grasses from Lodging
There are a few things you can do to prevent ornamental grasses from lodging, including:
- Fertilize properly: Ornamental grasses only need to be fertilized once a year, in the spring. Use a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10.
- Space plants properly: When planting ornamental grasses, space them far enough apart so that they have room to grow without overcrowding each other.
- Water regularly: Ornamental grasses need regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. Water deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and often.
How to Fix Fallen Ornamental Grasses
If your ornamental grasses have already lodged, there are a few things you can do to fix them:
- Stake the plants: Pound a stake or length of rebar into the ground in the very center of the grass clump. Wrap a strand of garden twine around the entire clump, about halfway up the stalks. Tie the twine loosely enough so that the grass can move naturally, but tightly enough so that the strands all stand up in one vertical clump.
- Divide the plants: If your ornamental grasses are overcrowded, you can divide them to give them more room to grow. Divide the plants in spring before any fresh shoots appear. Plant each new grass clump far enough away so that it doesn’t shade its neighbors.
Additional Tips
- Choose varieties of ornamental grasses that are known to be less prone to lodging.
- Plant ornamental grasses in a location that receives full sun or partial shade.
- Mulch around ornamental grasses to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
By following these tips, you can help prevent ornamental grasses from lodging and keep your garden looking its best.
