Pampas help please

We bought a home with a number of HUGE overgrown pampas grass "structures". The two that flank the driveway are so unsightly, plus cause a hazard when backing out on the road. We cut them down -- quite the job-- but of course they grew back almost overnight!! Any suggestions on how to get rid of them for good?? Not sure what the root structures are like. There are so many managable shrubs or plants we could put in its place! THANK YOU!!

Use a chainsaw to cut them AS CLOSE TO THE GROUND as you can get. You may get a few small shoots that come back but you can scalp those as well.

...and definitely wear gloves when you do it ! You can cut the daylights out of yourself with the reverse serration of the foliage.

Thank you so much for the info and the support! They are literally a pain in my side!! I will be sure and wear gloves and long sleeves...to perform the chain saw massacre. And if needs be...do it again! Thanks again!

Repetative cutting may stress them, but if you ever plan to plant anything else there (which it sounds like you do) you should just dig them out. The root system on most established grasses are very tough and very dense. The odds of just digging a hole in the center of the area for another plant are slim to none. It may take a lot of digging and even chopping with an axe, but will be well worth it when you have a nice new planting area. Note: be careful near driveways and walks...the roots can pull them right up when removing them.

Good Luck!

Here in Florida, people just pull them out with a truck!!

Thank you both for that advice...we continue to cut and work on them. They are mostly dead in the center now, just some new grass coming up around the outer circle. I did not know they could damage the driveway. ROOTS! BLA! A neighbor did mention to my husband about tying them to the hitch on our truck...so he wasnt kidding!! I am more determined then ever to rid myself of them. And yes -- it will lend to a beautiful planting area when I am finished. Thank you again!!

Hi rhettdog,
I feel your pain with the pampas grass. I've cut out 4 huge ones so far and it's a real pain. I don't dig, though - my secret weapon is a reciprocating saw - a sawzall (it's my favorite gardening tool - will take out roots, pampas, wisteria...). I bought a really cheap electric one - it's great for getting under the roots once you've cut the pampas grass back. It'll also help you shape them up and make them smaller if that is your goal.

I buy the 9" pruning blades in the economy pack - they cost more, but are worth it.

I take up the big ones by cutting a bit at the time - first down from the top on two sides and then scoop up the middle - sort of like cutting a cake. It works and I don't have to dig. :-)

Good luck,
shawnc