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Clark County Mini-Tour

It is a rare rainy day here in August (or more accurately, a wet, drizzly day). That means a break from watering and a good chance to catch up on blogging and other computer-related tasks. Before I continue with my England tour highlights, I wanted to share photos from this past Sunday's mini-tour of four gardens here in Clark County (an event sponsored by HPSO - Hardy Plant Society of Oregon). I saw three of the gardens on Sunday. I had already visited the fourth one, Lynne Heidsiek's native habitat garden, when she was part of the Study Weekend tour that we were on.  Our first stop was the marvelous shade garden of Margaret Stapenhorst. A bluestone patio is surrounded by towering mature trees that shade a woodland garden. There was a fern table and a moss garden, as well as garden art by Steve Farris. Loved, loved the waterfall. This is what I'd like to do in our front garden, but I don't know if we have the room. Just a few streets over is the garden of Eloise and Bo...
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Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses

I am taking advantage of a sunny, off-day from work to trim back our ornamental grasses. If you didn't do this in the fall, this is a good time - you want to cut them back before new growth starts in the spring. I always wait until late winter because I think the grass add lots of character to the winter garden.

This is a simple enough job but clean-up can be a hassle. Here is a tip to make the job go faster and less messier.

Use a thick string or whatever you have to tie the grass together before you cut it (bungee cords are great for this too). Then, after you cut the grass, it will fall in a bundle instead of going all over the place! I use my hedge trimmers for this job and it works great.



 






Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. SkeeterFebruary 21, 2014 at 10:51 AM

    I always leave the grass in place for winter interest and for wildlife to enjoy.... This is a great tip and time for me to get out the clippers...

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 22, 2014 at 3:46 AM

    I do the string trick too. Makes it so much easier. Love this warmer weather.

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  3. SwimrayFebruary 22, 2014 at 4:56 PM

    And do you use the cut grass? In compost? Or as a mulch?
    -Ray

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  4. Jane ScorerFebruary 23, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    Now that is an excellent tip! It takes me longer to pick up all the stems than it does to cut them !! I will do the string thing next time ! Like you I always leave grasses until late winter/ early Spring before I cut them back as I think they add so much interest to the gloomy winter garden.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2014 at 4:04 PM

    Thanks for the great tip!

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  6. ProfessorRoushFebruary 24, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    Yes, I "bundle". And I bought a cordless hedge trimmer specifically to use on the ornamental grasses. Makes it a snap!

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  7. AaronFebruary 24, 2014 at 8:46 AM

    Which ornamental grasses do you have Phillip and do you cut them all back the same (same time, same height)?

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  8. Phillip OliverFebruary 26, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    Aaron, I cut all of them back to the ground. I have "Morning Light", "Adagio", "Northwind" and a few that I don't know the names of. :)

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  9. AnonymousMarch 3, 2014 at 1:13 PM

    Good one Phillip!~~Dee

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  10. Edith KentMarch 5, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    Never tried doing this but sure going to in a few days. I leave mine thru the winter too. Thanks for tip.

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