Please, Is there a way to get rid of pampas grass other than digging it out. I planted one
a few years ago in a very bad spot now I have cut it down to the ground as it is huge.
But is there anything that will actually kill it without hurting the environment or my pets.
I thought of buying the big bags of salt like you get for your water conditioner and pouring
around it and then watering it in really well. Is this a really poor idea. It is about all I can afford
and I cannot afford to hire someone to dig it out for me. Thank you.

To ATP TDi

Cut the pampas grass back to about 2 feet. Use an herbicide containing glyphosate, Roundup is one. Spray the exposed cuts, following manufacturers guidelines. It may take several applications and several weeks to kill the clump completely.

A faster way would be to cut the plant down to the ground. Chop and cut into the clump exposing roots. Spray roots with an herbicide containing glyphosate. Again this may take several applications.

Do dispose of or burn any root you chop away, they could make new plants.

Hope this helps.

Reine

Please do not put down salt. You will ruin the soil all around there. Do you have a reciprocating saw/sawzall? I used that to cut out Giant Miscanthus grass I had to get rid of

Thanks so much for your replies to my query. I really appreciate it.

to ATP.
Salt will poison the ground and take a very long time to dissipate. That will preclude being able to plant anything in that area.

You can use glysophate (Round-up) and coat the cut back plant, or use any of these alternative methods. Please be advised, it may take more than 1 application to totally eradicate the pampas grass.
1) use straight vinegar and drench the plant, cover with plastic

2) cover the plant with a tarp, stake in place and allow it to stay until the plant is dead (deprives water and sunlight)

3) One study found good results using an application called "ropewick treatment," which applies herbicide with a wick or sponge attached to a "well" of herbicide. None of the nurseries I contacted had heard of this device. It would permit the application of herbicide directly to the leaves of the plant, which can also be done (carefully) with a paintbrush. Using herbicide in either summer or fall is advised. One study recommended cutting back fronds/leaves in early summer; as new growth appears in late summer, use herbicide on the new growth. This method requires less herbicide. (from this link)

http://ucanr.edu/sites/MarinMG...

4)Trench around the plant, set fire to the crown (only after cutting the plant to the ground) then, treat any new growth with Glysophate/herbicide

Good Luck.

For the Rope Wick Method I found a PDF here:
http://www.caes.uga.edu/commod...

I've been reading along as I also have Pampas Grass that needs to go and it's within a few feet of a neighbor's house so nor burning and must be very careful if herbicides are used. I'll go back to lurking now...

Good link Greene.

Thank you for all of your replies. AT least I have a starting point.
This pampas was huge. and I planted it at the side of my house
so there is no burning it down.

Go back to lurking now and if you find out anything else
interesting please pass it along. Ha'

I believe that if you are planning to use a Glyphosate herbicide which works on the foliage, the more leaves present the better.