Preparing Soil: The ideal time for soil preparation is fall. Begin with tilling the soil to a depth of about 12 inches. Add lots of organic matter during tillage. While preparing the bed of soil, you may want to add one pound of a all-purpose fertilizer (10-10-10) per 100 sq. ft. of planting area.

Planting: Plant in spring or fall. Spring planting will give grasses enough time to develop a strong root system before winter. If fall planting, add mulch for the first winter. Water well after planting and maintain consistent soil moisture.

Fertilizing: Minimal fertilizing is needed. Fertilize in spring, at a rate of one pound of fertilizer (10-10-10) per 100 sq. ft. of planting space. Water thoroughly after fertilizing.

Watering: For a strong root system water frequently during first season. Once established, watering may only be required during a drought. Many variables will affect watering, such as the type of grass, climate, soil, etc.

Mulching: Mulching will reduce weeding, keep the soil from drying out, reduce watering, and, if an organic mulch is used, it will improve the soil over time.

Tips: Ornamental grasses can provide an attractive accent to winter gardenscapes. Many gardeners wait until spring to cut them back to a few inches to promote new growth for the season. Dividing plants will improve their health and look. This can be done in early spring or fall. Pay attention to ornamental grasses spreading to unwanted areas. For grasses that are self-seeding, you may want to remove the seeds once they have matured to control spreading of the plants.
 

Ornamental grasses serve many functions in the landscape. Ornamental grass foliage catches the wind, adding a sense of motion to the landscape. The native prairies of the Midwest were often described as an inland sea. Tall grasses also rustle in the wind, adding sound as a new dimension to the landscape. In a border, grasses can be used as edging or background plants, while larger specimens can be accent plants or screens. Rhizome- and stolon-forming grasses stabilize banks or serve as ground cover.

 Diminutive species can be utilized in rock gardens. Combining grasses with woody or herbaceous perennial plants, such as shrub roses or Sedum 'Autumn Joy', help create a beautiful and enduring, low input, sustainable landscape. The dried foliage and flowers of many ornamental grasses are attractive and sway with the wind throughout the cold winter months. Many are excellent for use in floral arrangements.

The most popular groups of ornamental grasses are Festuca (fescue), Miscanthus, Panicum (switchgrass) and Pennisetum (fountaingrass).

Fescue:  This cool season, clump-forming grass requires protection from the hot afternoon sun. Blue foliage forms are the most popular. Division in the early spring is often required to restore vigor. Regular fertilization may benefit this group.

Miscanthus:  Considered the showiest group of warm season, clump-forming grasses, it has very showy flowers. A large group of grasses with considerable variability in height, blade width, etc. Select cultivars carefully to insure adequate hardiness and adaptation to your site.

Switchgrass:  This native, warm-season, clump-forming group is becoming more popular as new cultivars become available. Cultivars with red fall color and blue foliaged upright cultivars are popular.

Fountaingrass:  Most members are warm season, clump forming grasses. Some may become weedy, especially south of Rhode Island. Both annual and perennial cultivars are valuable in the landscape. Flowers are showy and are foxtail-like in their appearance.