Question: How To Trim Monkey Grass

How to Trim Monkey Grass: You can go over monkey grass with a lawn mower set to the highest setting, or use a string trimmer or clippers to cut it back to about 3” high. If your monkey grass has already sprouted, you’ll probably need to cut it by hand, so you don’t cut the nice rounded tips off the new shoots.

When should you trim back monkey grass?

It will start to grow by mid-spring. If you want to know when to cut back monkey grass, you can cut the plants back to 3 inches (8 cm.) in early spring. Pruning monkey grass helps take out the battered leaves and permits new leaves to come in and flourish.

How do you keep monkey grass looking good?

Once established, both of these “monkey grass” varieties require very little maintenance, as they’re fairly drought tolerant, pest resistant and only needs mowing or pruning once annually. In the lawn, foliage should be mowed in the late winter prior to new growth.

How do you treat overgrown monkey grass?

How to Get Rid of Monkey Grass Dig it up – Digging up unwanted plants is the easiest way of removing monkey grass, but it may also be the most time consuming depending on how much you have. Contain it – You can install some type of barrier or edging to keep monkey grass roots under control, minimizing its spread.

What time of year do you cut back liriope?

The best time to trim lilyturf’s damaged old foliage is anytime before its healthy new foliage emerges in spring. Otherwise, you’ll shave the top of the fresh growth as well as the old growth. Fall trimming of anthracnose-blemished plants — in warm-winter climates, at least — keeps them looking good until spring.

Can I trim monkey grass in summer?

Timing: It’s best to trim in the late winter or early spring before new shoots appear. Waiting to cut liriope down after new shoots emerge will create dull tips for the remainder of the year.

How does monkey grass spread?

Spreading Monkey Grass It spreads by rhizomes, which are modified stems that form an underground network of continuous growth. Because creeping lily turf forms a carpet of greenery, it excels as a dense ground cover.

Are you supposed to trim monkey grass?

Trimming monkey grass isn’t mandatory; but as the leaves age, they start to brown on the tips and eventually can look pretty ragged. Each spring, monkey grass grows a fresh set of leaves, so it can easily recover from an annual pruning.

Can you cut back monkey grass?

One of the best ways to trim away the unsightly foliage is to cut it with a lawn mower. If no new shoots have come out, you can cut the liriope fairly close to the ground. But if new growth has begun, raise the mowing height so it will cut above the new growth. A weed eater is another good way to cut back monkey grass.

How do you take care of monkey grass in the spring?

Plant the monkey grass in the early spring or autumn to allow the root system to take hold before hotter weather hits. Till the area about 8 to 10 inches deep, removing non-organic matter such as stones. Add about 2 to 3 inches of organic matter and a balanced fertilizer to the area and mix it into the loosened soil.

Why is my monkey grass turning yellow?

Monkey grass stressed from drought turns yellow, and roots exposed to standing water also turn yellow. Older leaves on the play may slightly dry and wither. Other than natural growth patterns, yellowing leaves may indicate that the plant is getting too much or too little water.

How do you maintain liriope?

Water. During the first growing season, water the plants regularly—but not every day, as that can cause soggy soil conditions. On average, liriope needs about 1 inch of water per week. Once established, liriope plants are relatively drought-tolerant and can go a little longer between watering days.

Can monkey grass be pruned May?

You may trim monkey grass anytime it’s actively growing from spring to midsummer, as it rejuvenates fully one to two months later. However, the best maintenance practice is to cut back plant clumps to 3 inches tall anytime from mid February to mid or late March, depending on latitude and climate.

What month is late winter?

When is Late Winter? Late winter is 4 to 6 weeks before spring thaw begins. This could be any time in January to May, depending on your climate.

Are you supposed to cut back liriope?

Clipping back every two to three years generally is adequate, so if your liriope looks fine this year, you may leave it alone. For readers with other ground covers, Asian jasmine generally requires cutting back at least once a year.

How long does it take monkey grass to spread?

Growth Rates Standard mondo grass reaches a mature spread up to 1 foot wide within a year or two, but dwarf mondo grass needs two to three years under ideal conditions to reach its spread of 3 to 4 inches.

What is monkey grass good for?

Monkey grass is an attractive plant for edging walkways and creating borders for flower beds. Planting monkey grass divisions 6 to 8 inches apart is best for lining walkways and defining or adding texture to flowerbeds. Monkey grass is slow growing and clump-forming, requiring little maintenance.

Does monkey grass need sun or shade?

Some prefer full sun, while others are better suited to shade. Some clump, and others creep. All monkey grasses fall into one of two groups: the genuses Liriope or Ophiopogon. In general, all liriopes do well in filtered sun to full shade and aren’t picky about soil.