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Ornamental Grasses

Lawn Grass fertilizer and Ornamental Grasses?

17 years ago

Can you throw bagged Lawn Grass fertilizer on and around Ornamental true grasses such as Miscanthus, Arundo donax, Pennisetum, Ravenna grass, Pampas Grass (well, i can't grow it but others can)...? Benefits? Harm? Around the edges and/or in the center?

What about Broadleaf "Weed and Feed" mixes? Do these harm ornamental grasses? What about Crabgrass mixes... that has gotta be dangerous to some, isn't it...?

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Comment (1)

donn_
17 years ago
The only ferts my grasses get is an occasional bit of compost tea, very dilute. Apart from that, they get nutrients from decomposing mulch and that's it. Ornamental grasses really don't benefit from overly fertile soil, and can get too floppy if there's too much nutrient.

I remember reading, on this forum, someone's experience with lawn ferts and A. donax, and I believe it was a positive one. I've never grown it, so I can't speak to it's need for ferts.

I wouldn't put any Weed-n-Feed type stuff anywhere near any ornamental grasses, but I don't use any of it anyway. I'm trying to get rid of lawn, not encourage it.
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