Ornamental Grasses

I was walking around our place the other day. I needed to walk back and break ice for the cattle, which winter right behind our house. While on my little hike, I noticed all the birds on our ornamental grasses.

We are under the belief of leaving all our grasses tall and bushy for the winter. We discovered doing this by chance. One year we were really busy, and Tedd was unable to get the job done in the fall.  And, as with a lot of things, our lack of time turned into a good thing for the birds. We see them all the time on the plumes eating the seeds or something.  So, from then on, we have left them tall and bushy until spring.  Tedd then has the most wonderful time. 

Tedd used to gather the stalks with a big rope, use a chain saw and cut them off at the ground.  Then, by mistake one time, one clump caught on fire.  Boy, what a delight.  Now, Tedd burns them all to the ground in the spring, just in time for the new growth.  What used to take an afternoon to accomplish now takes about 30 minutes. 

So, end of the story – the birds are happy and Tedd is happy.  And, if Tedd is happy then I am happy!!  And if the birds are happy then we both are happy!!

Here’s to ornamental grasses in the winter,

Julie