Annual Vernal Grass

Annual Vernal Grass should be watered when the top inch or 2 of soil looks dry. During the growing season, water more deeply. Additionally, water once a week, providing enough so that water is able to penetrate the root zone. Watering should be as consistent as possible. Avoid allowing the soil to stay soggy for too long as this can lead to root rot and other diseases.

Annual Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum aristatum), a cool-season grass, requires direct sunlight for optimal growth. On average, it needs about 6 to 7 hours of sunlight each day throughout the growing season to reach its full potential. During the summer, it prefers partial shade in order to protect it from the intense sunlight of midday. It will benefit from early morning and late afternoon sunlight for better growth. In the winter months, when sunlight is in short supply, the grass needs as much of it as possible. If the grass does not receive adequate sunlight, it will become weak and fail to thrive.

Annual Vernal Grass can be pruned during early spring when actively growing. To keep the plant healthy and to promote its vigor, it is recommended to prune or mow the grass down to a height of 3 to 6 inches. This will help to limit the weed numbers, reduce possible diseases, and help promote new growth. If the plant starts to spread too rapidly, you can prune more severely. Prune out any flower stems that begin to appear as these will take away valuable energy from the grass and reduce its vigor, however if you need to spread the grass, you can leave some of the flower stems alone to allow for reseeding. It is important not to prune too heavily, as this could harm the grass and reduce its vigor.