How To Remove Pampas Grass

shovel

There are a variety of ways on how to remove pampas grass. These include manual digging, the use of herbicide, and even sprinkling some salt. Covering it up using a thick tarp, or you can also burn it up to get rid of this grass.

Why Should You Remove The Pampas Grass?

You are reading this because you’ve got pampas grass growing at home. If you’re reading this, then odds are you’re also wondering whether it’s safe to just cut it back or whether you should totally remove it. Well, it’s not that easy, but before you cut it back, you should know that pampas grass will grow back. It’s very invasive.

Pampas grass has a very wide growth range, and a dominant form of growth is a leafy stalk that can grow up to 8 feet tall. It has a very sharp and stiff-bladed blade that is very irritating to touch, especially when the blade is dry. Although it’s a relatively small plant, it produces a lot of seeds, which makes it a nuisance in lawns and gardens. It spreads rapidly, and it doesn’t take much to start a new patch. It also prefers shady, moist areas, making it a challenge for homeowners with hot, sunny yards.

Being that invasive, we can’t argue with other people wanting this grass to be removed in their garden or lawn. Well, no worries, there are various methods that one can do for its effective removal.

Methods of Removing Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is one of the worst weeds on the planet for many reasons. It does not die easily on its own, but it spreads like wildfire if you don’t get rid of it. Pampas grass can be a pain to remove from many surfaces. This plant forms a dense, lush carpet on the ground and has a deep root system, so it is difficult to get rid of without extensive digging.

This grass is a native of South America and is a close relative of cocksfoot and crabgrass. It is a perennial grass that grows to a height of up to two meters and can spread up to 30cm wide. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from grassy open spaces to muddy banks, and they can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from drought to flooding. 

To help you get rid of this grass, check out the following methods:

1. Dig it up

In areas where there is a high use of the pampas grass, it starts to grow in large clumps. If you have a place with a lot of pampas grass, you will have a hard time keeping it under control. You can try to remove it by hand, but the thick root system and the aggressive nature of pampas grass make this a difficult task. To get rid of the pampas grass, you will need to dig it up and remove it. This will require a shovel and a garden rake.

2. Use of chemicals

Although it is not a major environmental problem, the use of herbicides and other chemicals (e.g., pesticides and fertilizers) can be problematic. The use of these chemicals has led to the proliferation of many invasive plants in the U.S. and other countries. Although pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a non-native species in the U.S., it is spreading rapidly in parts of the country. In the Midwest, the use of herbicides to control weeds in agricultural fields has led to the proliferation of pampas grass.

3. Sprinkle it with some salt

Salt works wonders in the garden, but saltwater isn’t always kind to plants. It kills anything it touches, including grass. If you sprinkle salt on new pampas grass, it will die slowly. Sprinkling salt on new pampas grass, though, maybe the only way to remove the stinging grass.

4. Cover it up with a Tarp

While you can’t remove all of the pampas grass using conventional methods, there are some ways you can make it easier on yourself. The best approach is to work with the situation you have, so find some areas of your lawn where you can see more than just the grass. If you have bare spots, you can cover them with a tarp, which is one of the best ways to prevent pampas grass from spreading. Also, stop watering it.

5. Burn it up

Burning pampas grass is a popular method to get rid of this invasive species, but it doesn’t always work. Pampas grass is highly resilient and can regenerate from the roots after burning. This means that even if you burn the entire plant, it can still regrow if the roots are not completely destroyed. To ensure that pampas grass doesn’t come back, it’s important to take additional measures such as removing the roots or applying herbicides.

Conclusion

In order to remove pampas grass from your property, you first must identify the type of pampas grass you have. Your first step will be to identify the particular type of pampas grass that you have. Once you have determined the type of pampas grass that you have, you will need to determine the best course of action to remove it.

Rachel Lean
Rachel Lean

Adventurer, loving nature and plants, particularly Pampas Grass. Happy to share with other people the knowledge that I accumulated on the journey of my life.