How to Trim Sea Oats

Sea Oats on the Coast

Sea oats are ornamental grasses that grow well in saline areas. As such, they are often planted on sand dunes for erosion control. You can leave sea oats as they are, but to rejuvenate them and keep them thick, you must trim them. Sea oats are vigorous plants and take special care when trimming.

Things You'll Need

• Rag
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hedge shears
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Gloves
• Bag

Instructions

1. Begin trimming in February by taking a rag and dampening it with rubbing alcohol. Disinfect the surface of your hedge shears by going over the blades with the rag, hitting every surface. This will prevent the spread of disease to your sea oats.

2. Prepare yourself for the trimming. Parts of the sea oats plant are sharp and when broken may cut your skin. Long sleeves and thick gloves will keep you from harm.

3. Cut the sea oats down to 3 to 4 inches from the ground, suggests TheGardenHelper.com. This will rejuvenate them for the spring and summer growing seasons.

4. Sterilize your shears again in late summer if you wish to try to contain the sea oats. Over the growing season, the grass forms a green seed head that is quite attractive, but when it turns brown it falls off and the seed spreads. To contain the plant, clip off these heads and place them in a bag to throw away.

References

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service: Pruning Basics
• Oklahoma Gardening: Oklahoma Gardening Shows
• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Grasses