We had a huge cluster of pampas grass on the side of our yard that we finally decided to get rid of. It took a few hours just to cut it back and hack away the base. Now that that's gone, I've been trying to eradicate the roots so it doesn't come back but they just… keep… going… They've gone under pavers, bricks, and the fence that separates our yard from common space. My hole is now 4-5 feet across and a couple feet down and still they continue. What's my best option here? I won't be able to dig up the common space so full eradication is out of the picture. I'm resistant to any chemicals because we may want to plant something else here at some point. Cardboard, replace bricks, hope for the best?
by Jubjub-bird
8 Comments
Oh man, I don’t have an answer for you but just wanted to commiserate. I took out a giant one and it was one of the hardest things to remove I’ve ever done. My did not have far traveling roots though, so I guess I got lucky there.
Maybe a root axe to clear the root ball would be my best guess. You’re definitely gonna want to clear nearly all of it then keep an eye on that spot to make sure it doesnt spring back up
Can’t spray? If you can’t use a weed spray then cover and also use vinegar. If you can then use the strongest you can legally use. It’s incredibly hardy. I hope it was dormant.
Edit: I just read your post, sorry. You can amend after the 12+ months as long as you don’t use a sterilizer just a broadleaf killer
If you got the crowns that join roots and leaves out it won’t return. Seems you’ve done that if you are following roots out where there’s perfectly sound bricks and such on top of them.
Grass roots don’t sprout new growth. Rhizomes, tillers and stolons are the root like bits that are the problem. Pampas grass doesn’t send out long rhizomes or stolons like bermuda and St. Augustine as far as I know. If it did then where it’s invasive there would be an 8′ tall lawn rather than massive clumps.
My entire side yard was covered in these things. Took them out one by one with a shovel, left the roots, covered with weed barrier, rocks, never looked back. Honestly it’s so hard packed with those roots underneath the weed barrier that I feel it helps prevent anything from growing underneath.. Never had any issues with them growing back with the weed barrier covering them up.
Not dig deep enough try pick mat lock & more sweat it will go away
Round up the hell out of it
Just keep pulling up sprouts til it’s gone.