Reader's question

JUNE and her husband have a large Pampas grass growing in the front garden of their new bungalow, about three to four feet from the front bedroom window.

She wants to know if its roots could damage the bungalow’s foundations. She also wants to know more about the Pampas grass and what the best method would be of removing it.

THERE are approximately 20 species of Pampas grasses and these species will flower throughout the summer months and also late autumn. Cortaderia loves to grow in a sunny position and in a welldrained soil. Depending on the variety of pampas grass you have in your garden, the size will vary from five to eight feet tall and four to six feet wide.

Pampas grass produces very tough, spongy, compact roots and not a lot of actively vigorous tap roots which can be troublesome to foundations during very dry periods. I think June’s is far enough away to be no problem to the bungalow.

To keep your Pampas grass under control in late winter or early spring trim back all the dead foliage and comb out any dead material from the centre of the plant. An old method used on the dead foliage was to burn the grass in the winter months, but this is now frowned upon as ladybirds and hedgehogs hibernate in the foliage. If you feel that your plant is becoming too large you can trim back some of the tussocks. Propagation of Pampas grass can be easily done by dividing the tussocks early springtime and from seed sowing during March and April.

It is a very awkward task to dig out the roots of Pampas grass as the roots are closely knitted together and the leaves are razor sharp, leaving you covered in a million little ‘paper cuts’ if you don’t wear protective clothing. It is also a member of the grass family and, as I recently found out, can set off hayfever.You will need a sharp spade to dig around the roots, and then try to lever or pull and push it out from its hole.

Jobs this week

■ Privet hedges that weren’t pruned in autumn can be done now. If very hard pruning is needed, do just one side and the other side next year, so as not to stress the plants. Then water general fertiliser into the soil.

■ If you want to plant flowering magnolias, choose its position with great care and make sure you allow the plant plenty of space as it will resent being moved later. Prepare the soil well first, by digging in plenty of leaf mould or compost. Water regularly over the coming months while the plant roots get established.

■ Thin out old clumps of bamboo, taking out a few of the older canes, to allow this year’s shoots, which will be appearing soon, lots of space and plenty of light to develop to their full potential and show off their stems.

Add a heavy mulch of rich compost.

* Brigid presents the BBC Tees Green Gardening & Great Outdoors show every Sunday from 11 to 2pm. Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigid.press@bbc.co.uk anytime during the week, or texting 07786-200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show.

Written queries can be addressed to Brigid at Lazy Dayz Plant Centre, Farm Road, Houghall, Durham, DH1 3SG