Roger Higgins holding Blue Fescue Ornamental Grass.
Recently Duston and I traveled to Roger’s Backyard Nursery in Cranesville, Pa, only about a 37 mile drive for us and took a tour of Roger’s Backyard Nursery. Roger is One of Our Members. He showed us why he is successful over winter ornamental grasses when others are not.
In the photo you can see Roger’s Mini Hoop Houses behind him, he covers them with white plastic for the winter. Covering plants with white plastic for the winter really doesn’t keep the from freezing, actually quite the opposite. When they do freeze they stay frozen longer and are not constantly going through the freeze/thaw cycle that they would uncovered in a mild winter.
But as Roger explained when pots are frozen and not covered they hold water on top of the soil because it is frozen and that water will rot the crown of the grass. But covered they stay moist but are never full of water.
And that’s what makes the difference when you cover.
Over Wintering Ornamental Grasses in Containers.
How about a short video with Roger?
Roger’s Backyard Nursery
10393 Crane Street
Cranesville, Pennsylvania
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I’ll respond.
What zone are we talking about? I’m in a zone 5 Canada . Are you saying I can leave pampass outside under a hoop?
Rolande,
That depends on the variety that you have and what zone it’s rated for.
I have pampas grass planted in patio pots and want to hold over winter here in Maryland. Do I need to cut it back? Stop watering.? I will probably keep the grasses in my shed over winter. Please help!
Betty, yes cut it back. No, don’t stop watering. Plants still need moisture when dormant. It’s going to be cold and dry in that shed.
Can I bring my zebra grass in the house to winter? Should I put it in a sunny location?
Joyce,
It probably needs to go dormant outside to rest.
So if you cover potted grasses in the winter with white plastic they will not die and come back to grow in the spring??? I want to do this but don’t have the room to take them in our duplex and can’t keep in our garage as it is a one car.. so the CONTAINER grasses would have to stay outside all winter.Thank you
Yes,
Outside is where they really need to be and under white plastic is best for them. Or planted in the ground and they’ll be fine.
Can you name this plant for me please? Also, how do I care for it over the winter? Should I have transplanted it in the soil?
Thank you for all your smartness! ) happy gardening my buddy!