Why Does Ornamental Grass Fall Over?

Ornamental grasses are a really cost-effective way to add a little oomph to your garden.  They are super easy to take care of, and finding some that are indigenous to your area is usually a snap.  The only downside is that they occasional fall over.  Why, you might ask?  {Or maybe you didn’t ask, but I am going to tell you anyway.}

Grasses typically fall over for two reasons.  The first is over-fertilization.  Yep, you just might be taking too good care of your plants.  When ornamental grasses get too much nitrogen in their system, they start to fall over.  Too much of a good thing is not a good thing in this case.  The second reason they might fall is sheer weight overload.  Most ornamental grasses benefit from being divided every 3-4 years.  It keeps them from getting too heavy and falling over.

So what do you do if yours have already fallen over?  The answer is pretty simple:  you wear a badge of shame for the rest of the gardening season.  Kidding!  You can try putting a piece of rebar or a stake in the center of the grass, pounding it in, and then tying the grass up around the support.  The fix will make your eyes happier and allow your plant to muster a little strength of its own.

Go forth and grow something, Mavis