We moved in to our house recently and the garden is in a bit of a state and a lot of the plants haven't been touched for years by the looks of it. There is a giant grass? At least i think that's what it is, that is huge and I want to cut back so it is smaller.... how do I do it and is it even possible without killing it?

Welcome, Vicki86, grasses take pruning very well, however, a pic would help because if it is pampas grass it could be dangerous to try pruning it. If it is muhly grass you can cut it very low and remove dead grass. Muhly grass will recuperate very fast. There are other grasses, so if you can provide a picture we would be able to help more accurately.

Easiest way to cut back grasses is with a sawzall or something similar. Cut it back down to about a foot high then burn it so all the new grass can come through. But pictures would help so we can make sure to make the right suggestions for the spot.

Some grasses trim very well using a string trimmer.
Something like pampas grass requires a bush pruner or one of those electric hedge trimmers...
As above... we need more information.

I use the nippers and be sure to use gloves as some grass will cut your hands....long sleeves too!!

Sorry I thought I had uploaded a picture, think it has worked this time?

Vicki86, that isn't a grass. Palm of some sort? I'd clean up the junk grass to the right of this, just pull it out. You could trim back what appears to be a palm if you find it
to unruly. Remove the burnt areas, just cut to shape?

Hello and Welcome Vicki!
It isn't grass! Maybe try to get an ID on it for starters, I can't help with that.
I do think it would be OK to just cut back the unruly outer leaves. It looks like it's growing from a central point, don't cut the new innermost leaves.
Whatever it is, I suspect it's not getting enough light. I'd clean it up and keep an eye on it for a year or two. If it doesn't start looking better I'd pull it out and replace it with something more appropriate for the light.
Definitely dig/pull out the smaller weedy grass or whatever it is that's coming through the fence.

Thank you, yes it definitely hasn't had much light for some time as you can see from the before picture. I will leave it and see if it perks up a bit and remove the damaged leaves. Hopefully someone can advise on what it is...

Where in the world is East Kilbride- AU?

sallyg said: Where in the world is East Kilbride- AU?

Actually in Scotland

Oh haha about as opposite as can be! I just dont know climates in Europe, the palm tree confused me! Or I dont know palms either. It looks very sunny and warm in the picture.