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Georgia Gardener

Dwarf Mondo Grass

16 years ago

Our small front yard is planted with Dwarf Mondo Grass. It is looking kind of ratty, probably due to frequent traffic while undergoing a home renovation this winter. My question is should I fertilize the DMG? Should it be aerated? I have searched the net but didn't find out much info, so I thought I would ask the experts(a little sucking up doesn't hurt, right?).

Thanks in advance!!

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Comments (4)

Iris GW
16 years ago
When you say "looking kind of ratty", do you mean the foliage is tattered/worn? If so, then it will be putting out new foliage soon, similar to a daylily. You could mow it to remove some of the old foliage.

But if you mean that it is sparse, then you might want to add some new plugs to the sparse areas.

Either way, a little light fertilizer should not hurt. I would not aerate it.
buford
16 years ago
Don't aerate. It's not turf grass. It's individual plants that spread underground. Most landscapers and gardners cut back mondo in late winter/early spring to get rid of last years growth. New growth will be coming up now. You can mow it or trim it with a string trimmer. The new growth will be health and green. Fertilize if you want to.
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heavenscent
Original Author
16 years ago
The foilage is a little ragged and some of the foilage is yellowish, possibly a little damage from the drought as well. We plan on spreading a thin coating of compost over the area and then plugging in some areas next week. We have been in the house for a year and a half and have never mowed, it really can't be mowed, it is too low.
We have alo never fertilized the area, maybe the compost will be enough?
Iris GW
16 years ago
Oh sure, the compost will be good.

You can always take scissors and clip away the worst looking blades (like the yellow ones) if they are not too many. Otherwise, consider a string trimmer like buford said.

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