- 1). Evaluate your soil. Be sure your dwarf grass is planted in well-drained, moist soil. If it is already established, and is not in ideal soil conditions, it will be very important to keep up with fertilization and watering, and you may need to add a fungicide or compost if heavy soil has caused root rot disease.
- 2). Provide shade to your grass. Most dwarf grasses are tolerant of full sun but do much better in at least partial shade. They also prefer warmer climates.
- 3). Water your grass regularly, as dwarf grasses provide their best appearance in moist but well-drained soil. Your grass may be drought tolerant, but grasses such as the dwarf fountain grass will show signs of drought by producing brown or twisted leaves.
- 4). Apply a light fertilizer during each of the spring and summer months to help maintain your grass' color and appearance. Try a controlled-release fertilizer or an organic fertilizer, as non-organic can injure the grass' crowns.
- 5). Control pests. Use granular baits for slugs and snails and an oil-based insecticide for ornamental grasses.
- 6). Apply a post-emergence herbicide if you have problems with weed control. Usually, there is a minimal amount of weeds in a turf-like dwarf grass, but if your particular grass takes longer to fill in, you may need to use regular applications of herbicide.
- 7). Spread compost on your grass annually for the first several growing seasons to shorten the time for the grass to cover the ground area.
- 8). Consult an agriculturalist for mowing instructions. Some dwarf grasses will tolerate mowing one or two times a year to stimulate growth, but mowing may also leave the grass looking unattractive with razored ends.
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