I would like to know how to care for my hardy pampas and dwarf pampas grass for the winter. Also can the “feathers” be used for decoration in the home?
Taking care of any ornamental grass is pretty easy. The main thing you have to do is to cut the brown, dead foliage down sometime before spring. Many people leave the foliage on their plant through the winter as it adds some texture and interest to an otherwise bland winter landscape. However, if you want to get out in the yard and just get things cleaned up, it’s okay to cut the foliage back in the fall. Just make sure that the foliage is dried up before you cut it back. If you decide to wait until spring to do the cutting just be sure to do it early before the new shoots of grass begin to emerge. I’d figure on getting it done before the end of March. If the grass has started to sprout when you cut it back, you’ll cut off the new shoots and those cut ends will turn brown giving your grass an unkempt, ratty appearance (at least temporarily).
One trick in cutting back most ornamental grasses that I’ve learned is to tie up the foliage with some twine before cutting. You’ll end up with some funny-looking “pony tail” looking affairs. Tie the grass tightly so the bundle doesn’t fall apart. I then use a regular wood crosscut saw to cut the foliage off. You can use pruning shears, but it’s a lot of work and believe me, your hand will feel it when you’re done! The saw makes the job much easier and once it’s cut off, the old grass is already bundled up for disposal—no raking or cleanup needed.
The seed plumes are great to use in dried arrangements or other decorations. You may want to spray the plume with some spray acrylic to hold the plume together. If you don’t, the seeds can come off and make a bit of a mess.
When is the best time to transplant aspen trees?
For most deciduous plants I like to transplant in early spring before the leave start to emerge. That’s usually March down here, probably in April up your way. However, for Aspen trees I’ve had slightly better success transplanting in the fall. Obviously, it’s too late to do it this year, but if you are willing to wait, you could do it next year; and there’s really no problem transplanting the tree next spring.
I’m assuming that you’re digging up a tree in one spot and moving it to another. If you’re talking about planting a tree from a garden center that’s in a pot or balled and burlapped, then any time will work.
I would like to know how to care for my hardy pampas and dwarf pampas grass for the winter. Also can the “feathers” be used for decoration in the home?
Taking care of any ornamental grass is pretty easy. The main thing you have to do is to cut the brown, dead foliage down sometime before spring. Many people leave the foliage on their plant through the winter as it adds some texture and interest to an otherwise bland winter landscape. However, if you want to get out in the yard and just get things cleaned up, it’s okay to cut the foliage back in the fall. Just make sure that the foliage is dried up before you cut it back. If you decide to wait until spring to do the cutting just be sure to do it early before the new shoots of grass begin to emerge. I’d figure on getting it done before the end of March. If the grass has started to sprout when you cut it back, you’ll cut off the new shoots and those cut ends will turn brown giving your grass an unkempt, ratty appearance (at least temporarily).
One trick in cutting back most ornamental grasses that I’ve learned is to tie up the foliage with some twine before cutting. You’ll end up with some funny-looking “pony tail” looking affairs. Tie the grass tightly so the bundle doesn’t fall apart. I then use a regular wood crosscut saw to cut the foliage off. You can use pruning shears, but it’s a lot of work and believe me, your hand will feel it when you’re done! The saw makes the job much easier and once it’s cut off, the old grass is already bundled up for disposal—no raking or cleanup needed.
The seed plumes are great to use in dried arrangements or other decorations. You may want to spray the plume with some spray acrylic to hold the plume together. If you don’t, the seeds can come off and make a bit of a mess.
When is the best time to transplant aspen trees?
For most deciduous plants I like to transplant in early spring before the leave start to emerge. That’s usually March down here, probably in April up your way. However, for Aspen trees I’ve had slightly better success transplanting in the fall. Obviously, it’s too late to do it this year, but if you are willing to wait, you could do it next year; and there’s really no problem transplanting the tree next spring.
I’m assuming that you’re digging up a tree in one spot and moving it to another. If you’re talking about planting a tree from a garden center that’s in a pot or balled and burlapped, then any time will work.
containers and precious veggie plants! Beautiful sunshine, extraordinary warmth & weather that was downright gorgeous in April makes May planting that much sweeter. Many gardeners took a chance on planting early to get a head start on that first ripe tomato of the year. Some brave souls won, others have been back to replace flowers & veggies that froze. We hope all that’s behind us now! 
