Without proper watering, this beautiful ornamental grass will underperform. In the ground, watering issues can be solved, but In a container, too much or too little water will kill Western wheat grass in short order. When Western wheat grass isn't receiving the right amount of water, it may stop growing. In the case of overwatering, it will begin to display yellow leaves with brown tips. Underwatering can produce drooping leaves, weak seed head production, and browned leaves. If you suspect your Western wheat grass has been improperly watered, the first thing to do is figure out if the problem is too much or too little. If your Western wheat grass is getting too much water, stop watering it immediately. Sometimes it can take weeks for heavy soils to dry out, so be patient. At the first sign of new growth, test the soil for moisture and decide whether it needs more water or not. The solution for Western wheat grass receiving too little water is even simpler: give the grasses a nice, deep drink and see if it perks up. Bearing all of this in mind, remember that a long, deep watering is always better than a lot of shallow, frequent waterings. The reason for this is that deep watering encourages grasses to grow deep roots, which makes them more drought resistant and less prone to problems from watering.

The watering needs of Western wheat grass will vary depending on where it is planted. Generally, you should water this grass every week. In hot climates, once or twice a week watering in the summer may be necessary. In moderate climates, watering once every seven days or more may be enough. Grass in containers almost always need more frequent watering than grasses in the ground. But with a species such as this that can thrive in full sun or part shade, the location also matters. Shaded grasses need to be watered less frequently than in-ground grasses. Western wheat grass should only be watered when the soil is dry. If you’re unsure when to water, there are a few key signs you can use as your cue. Pressing your finger a couple of inches into the soil will tell you if the soil is dry. For a potted grass, you can weigh the grass with a portable scale to see how light it is, but you can also quickly feel when the pot is light from lack of water. Like many types of grass, the blades may appear folded along their centers and thinner than usual when the roots lack sufficient water. Despite its drought tolerance, regular, deep waterings will reward you with a beautiful color. In the wild, Western wheat grass grows in open scrubland, where it would be subject to extreme heat, loads of bright sun, and intermittent rain. Because this grass is drought resistant, you might expect never to need to water it. But don’t let its hardiness fool you, Western wheat grass still needs care and attention. Even though this hardy grass can handle harsh, dry conditions, gardeners agree that it thrives best with consistent water. When first planted, Western wheat grass will need more frequent water until it has established deep roots. For Western wheat grass in pots, the soil will dry out quickly, especially if the pot is in hot, direct sun for a large part of the day. Test the soil every 3 to 4 days and water only when it feels dry. Western wheat grassed in the ground generally needs less watering, but that depends on the soil it is grown in. Heavy clay soil holds water for a long time and may feel dry at the surface while still retaining plenty of moisture below the ground. Sandy soils that drain quickly will need to be watered more often.

You can often tell if you are watering enough by the rate of growth of your grasses. Western wheat grass during the hottest months of the year and has been known to double in size in a year’s time. If the weather is hot and the grass is not growing vigorously, you may need to adjust your watering schedule. In winter, you might be able to get away with watering only once a month, but you will still want to touch the soil to test for moisture. During a growth cycle (in the warmest months), the grass will need more water than usual. But during winter and cooler months, the need for water will be dramatically reduced. The most important thing to remember about Western wheat grass is that the soil it is planted in should always be allowed to dry out completely before adding water.

Pruning your Western wheat grass is a fairly simple process that helps encourage the growth of a naturally healthy plant. To keep your Western wheat grass in good health year after year, you can choose to either strategically prune it or cut it back each season. Depending on your preferences and where the Western wheat grass is grown will determine if and when you should prune it. Pruning this plant is not an essential task, but it will enhance its appearance. Whether to prune or cut back depends on the way you want your plant to grow and the look you’re trying to achieve in your garden. Some gardeners favor the cutting back method, as it leaves more room for entirely new growth. However, it is possible to selectively and strategically prune Western wheat grass while still encouraging full healthy growth in spring.

Pruning your Western wheat grass is a fairly simple process. First, you will need a reliable set of hand pruners or hedge trimmers. You may use a clean pair of sharp scissors if you don’t have pruners or garden shears on hand. It’s important to always clean your gardening tools before and after using them to prevent the possibility of spreading disease or infection to other plants. Plants can be cut down to the ground in late Winter to make room for new growth the following season. This method is called cutting back. To do this, simply cut all parts of the plant down until it is only a few inches tall. Lush, new, green foliage will appear in Spring. If you choose to cut down rather than prune, you may need to take measures to protect your plant from late-winter cold fronts that could leave your fresh-cut plant ends susceptible to damage. Alternatively, you can wait for the frost to pass and cut off the dried parts so that the dried parts can act as a warmth retainer. Dying, damaged, yellow or declining foliage should be removed as it appears. These parts of Western wheat grass cannot be restored and pruning can increases the ventilation inside the plant and facilitates its growth. Any pruning that is done to this plant should be cut straight across the blades or stems. No angled cuts are required. This operation can be carried out at any time when the plants are growing.

Once you’ve pruned your plant, you should dispose of the stems and leaves either by composting the healthy ones or throwing out the diseased parts. You can also fertilize just before or after pruning, which gives Western wheat grass a little vitamin boost that can provide it the nutrients needed to better protect itself from any nearby pathogens or diseases. Do not water the plants immediately after pruning as this can lead to fungal infestation of the plants through the wounds. You don’t need much after care when you’re done pruning. It might benefit from light watering and some liquid plant food to encourage new growth.

Early spring and late winter are the best times to prune plants on a large scale, and if you want to control the size of your Western wheat grass you can prune them as you wish. If you want Western wheat grass to regrow, cut the leaves back to about 1-2 inches from the ground. Yellow and diseased leaves may appear during the summer months when the plant is in full bloom . These types of leaves need to be pruned back immediately as they cannot be restored.

Strategic pruning is usually done at different times of the year or during certain stages of growth depending on the plant. However, knowing when to prune your Western wheat grass depends on where you live and how established your plant is. For example, if your Western wheat grass is a new resident in your garden, it’s a good idea to wait until the following Winter to start pruning. On the other hand, if your plant is already established, you will want to prune the dead foliage before new leafy growth appears in Spring. Doing so allows the dried out parts to keep the underground parts warm in winter and acts as a protection for the plant. It’s important to note that if Western wheat grass is pruned too late in the season, it can leave new growth at risk for damage or disease. Since this can affect the long-term health and appearance of your plant, it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding when and how to prune. As your Western wheat grass grows larger over time, you can either cut it back entirely to control its size or trim it as needed after annual pruning.

The best tip when it comes to pruning Western wheat grass is to rather leave them be. If you do not need to prune this plant, do not. Western wheat grass can grow exceptionally well with minimal to no pruning. Pruning is only ideal if you wish to cut the plant back entirely before new growth begins. Or if you wish to tidy the plant up as they do tend to self-seed readily and can get out of hand.

Western wheat grass needs full sun every day, and these plants rely on a minimum of six hours of sunlight to keep their leaves, roots, and blooms in a healthy state. Even though most perennials need six hours of sunlight a day, plants like the Orange Daylily or Giant Coreopsis could live off less sun for a minimum of three hours daily. Even though these perennial flowering plants can live with only three hours of direct sunlight, they won't be able to thrive like they would in sunnier conditions.

The few Perennial Flowering Plants that don't like excessive heat in warm climates might react poorly to too much sun if they have heat damage. These plants may wilt or dry out from too much sun and may also develop growth issues if they're regularly in the sun during the most intense heat of the day. Some plants don't need protection from the light afternoon sun, but those that are harmed by intense afternoon exposure should be provided some shade in warmer climates. Gardeners could give these plants plenty of shade by planting them in spots that don't receive direct heat during the afternoon, like under trees or behind bushes.

While many perennial plants need plenty of sun to bloom to their fullest extent, some of them benefit from less sun in warmer climates. For example, people who live in hotter climates might want to provide shade for their flowering perennials in the hot afternoon sun, and this is even more true for months in the summer. Even though some perennial flowering plants will benefit from partially shaded in the hottest climates, plants like the Giant Coreopsis aren't intimidated by too much sun. They might sit outside in the full sun in hot weather and still thrive.

If you're growing Western wheat grass and you aren't getting enough sunlight, you'll notice signs of inadequate requirements in your plants. Most plants won't produce as many blooms as they would if they had full sun exposure. Some plants will develop dry spots on their leaves, but most of these plants will still bloom in the inadequate sun. Even though they bloom, the flowers will be smaller and less full.

Western wheat grass is great flowers in gardens and will have optimum blooming if it gets six hours of sunlight a day minimum. Sometimes, flowers stay fresh longer if they're partially shaded during the really hot parts of the day. When Western wheat grass is young, gardeners want to ensure their younger plants are getting plenty of sunlight but don't have to endure intense heat during the afternoon sunlight. If you have a fully mature plant, provide it with plenty of sun so it may keep up its growth properly.

Western wheat grass will need a minimum of six hours of light to best support their photosynthesis cycles. These flowering plants need the sun to help their foliage and blooms grow. However, certain perennial flowering plants like the Giant Coreopsis might need anywhere from eight to twelve hours of full sun a day to maintain their large flowers and healthy foliage.

If you want your Western wheat grass to grow healthy and bloom as much as possible during its blooming season, you should try to give your plant six hours of direct sunlight. Some perennial plants might even do more sunlight and could sit in the sun for up to twelve hours, depending on the heat in the area and the general environment. Plants like the Red Hot Poker and Giant Coreopsis thrive in much hotter climates and might sit in all types of strong sunlight. Some home gardeners have to use grow lights because their spaces don't allow for tons of outdoor sunlight. Most perennials could grow happily in grow lights, but they will need anywhere from eight to fourteen hours of artificial light to stay strong since these lights don't have as much power as the sun.

Western wheat grass prefers cooler weather, and has a specific temperature range you can keep it within to maximize growth. For Western wheat grass to be as healthy as it possible can, you could keep them between the temperatures 65~75℉(18~25℃). Western wheat grass can handle higher and lower heat levels, but whenever possible, try to keep the area you grow them in within several degrees of 65~75℉(18~25℃). If you can’t keep Western wheat grass precisely within that range, it doesn’t mean they will stop growing. Western wheat grass can handle a higher and lower range before they begin to suffer damage or reduced growth. On the higher end, that temperature would that would fall between 75~85℉(25~30℃). On the lower end, Western wheat grass can handle temperatures as low as 5℉(-15℃). The higher temperature range is the most important to observe, as Western wheat grass prefers cooler environments. Letting temperatures get above the upper range may cause growth to slow, and having Western wheat grass above 85℉(30℃) could result in the plant dying.

Too much heat early in the growing stages of Western wheat grass may give it an unhealthy appearance, so it's important to keep your growing space between 65~75℉(18~25℃). You’ll want to stay in the colder part of this range as Western wheat grass, but make sure not to go below -5℉(-20℃). Extremely cold temperatures can hinder growth at any stage for Western wheat grass, though they aren’t nearly as damaging as extremely hot temperatures. If temperatures are kept high during the budding stage, Western wheat grass may not flower at all.

Tip #1: Grow in the Coldest Room of Your Home If you plan to grow Western wheat grass indoors, make sure to choose the coldest room of your home. This will usually be on the side of your house that doesn’t experience the harsh heat that the sun can produce in the middle of the day. At the same time, you’ll need to ensure the room does get a healthy amount of sunlight. While you’ll want to spare your plants from the brightest and hottest part of the day, zero sunlight can drastically reduce Western wheat grass ability to grow. Tip #2: If Western wheat grass Doesn’t Flower Properly, It May Be Too Hot The growing season for Western wheat grass, spring and early summer, can occasionally come with high temperatures. These fluctuations can negatively affect the growing stage of Western wheat grass, causing flowering buds to change into non-flowering buds. These buds will open partially, or in some cases not at all, causing Western wheat grass to lose some of its aesthetic quality. It's important to stay in the range of 65~75℉(18~25℃), for that reason, so your Western wheat grass can flower to its full potential. Tip #3: Avoid Frost While Western wheat grass can tolerate lower temperatures, as low as -5℉(-20℃), it will not do well if it encounters significant frost. If left out in the colder temperatures of late fall or winter, Western wheat grass will begin to show the signs of frost damage. To recognize the signs of frost damage, you’ll look for several key aesthetic changes. First, parts of Western wheat grass will begin to wilt. Then, those sections will start to become discolored, eventually turning brown or black as they die. Any parts of Western wheat grass that turn these colors cannot be saved, and will have to be pruned if you intend to keep the plant alive.

It's important to keep the temperature of your growing area steady regardless of season. If you live in an area with harsh winters or very hot summers, it may be best to put your plants inside. That way, you can keep them in a cool room where Western wheat grass would be able to grow in the best possible conditions. If you do leave your plants outside, make sure to observe the temperature closely. If the summer’s get especially hot in your climate-zone, make sure that your plants aren’t exposed to temperatures above 85℉(30℃). This will dehydrate and damage Western wheat grass quickly, and before long, they will begin to die.

If you intend to place Western wheat grass outside, you’ll want to make sure that it has shade from the heat of the midday sun. While Western wheat grass does need plentiful sunlight to grow to its full potential, direct sunlight can cause a rise in temperature and damage certain elements of the plant. Choose an area that has shade providing structures or tall trees that can shield Western wheat grass from the hottest parts of the day. If your climate isn’t appropriate for Western wheat grass or you don’t have the proper space in your garden, you can also plant them inside. Controlling the temperature is much easier indoors, and having proper fans, ventilation, or an A/C unit will allow you to stay within the optimum range of 65~75℉(18~25℃).

Why you need to fertilize Western wheat grass is pretty simple. Your plant needs the extra nutrients to produce healthy new growth. The additional nutrients also support the health of old growth and can help your plant fight off diseases and pests.

Knowing when to fertilize Western wheat grass is key for its survival in the garden. It’s not a heavy feeder and doesn’t require additional nutrients when it is dying back. While you can apply diluted fertilizer at the start of the growing season, it’s not recommended. Instead, put down some mulch or compost around the base of the plant.

Since you are not using packaged fertilizers, you don’t have to worry about when to stop feeding Western wheat grass. A layer of compost or mulch in the spring will be more than enough to keep Western wheat grass happy throughout the year. Don’t worry about mulching or composting in the winter when the plant is dormant.

You don’t need to rush out to the garden center to purchase a bag of fertilizer. Western wheat grass doesn’t need the extra nutrients. Instead, you can put down a layer of compost in the spring. It will supply the plant with the necessary nutrients. If you mulch your garden yearly, the bark will also keep your plant fed and happy.

Whether you are using mulch or compost, the steps are the same for Western wheat grass. Put down a layer of the material, making sure it covers the plant’s base. You may want to use both mediums, but if you do, reduce the amount of compost. Adding a layer of mulch can serve two purposes. It helps the soil retain moisture while also feeding your plant.

If you avoid using liquid or granulated plant food, you shouldn’t worry about over-fertilizing Western wheat grass. If you are amending the soil with fertilizing, watch out for root burn. Too much nitrogen, and other nutrients in the soil, can burn sensitive roots causing the plant to start dying back.