When and How to Trim Ornamental Grasses in Olympia, WA

In Olympia, WA, one of the best time to trim ornamental grasses in the spring is in early spring (late February to early April) after the snow has melted and before new growth emerges. But remember if they are making a mess on your lawns and driveways, it’s ok to cut them back anytime after Thanksgiving. 

Here’s a more detailed guide

•  Late February to Early April: This is also an ideal time to trim ornamental grasses in the Olympia area, as it allows you to remove dead or damaged foliage without harming the new growth. 
• Wait for Snow to Melt: Don’t trim until the snow has melted and the ground is no longer frozen. 
• Before New Growth: Trim before the new growth starts to emerge, which typically happens in early spring. 
• Tools of the Trade:
• Pruning shears or hedge trimmers: Use sharp tools for a clean cut. 
• Gloves: Protect your hands while trimming. 
• How to Trim:
• Cut back to 2-3 inches on grasses that die back. 
• Remove dead or damaged leaves: Focus on removing any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. 
• Leave a few inches of stubble: This helps protect the crown of the plant from the cold. 
• Benefits of Spring Trimming:
• Promotes new growth: Trimming in early spring encourages healthy new growth. 
• Removes debris: It helps to remove unsightly dead foliage and debris from the winter. 
• Improves appearance: A well-trimmed grass clump looks neater and more vibrant. 
• Also remove weeds that may have grown over the fall/ winter. 
• This is for grasses that die back only, on evergreen grasses they only need a slight trim, usually brown ends, seed heads or unsightly growth. 
• See also our video On how to trim ornamental grasses.