Harding Grass is a non-native, invasive very large perennial bunchgrass found widely through California that can grow to 8 feet tall. It can quickly outcompete native grasses in its surrounding area. Deer and rabbits won’t eat it and horses may nibble green shoots but dislike the remainder. Goats will eat the entire plant but aren’t ideal for complete removal. Harding grass is a rhizome which will regrow from partial or full rhizomes left behind, where grazing inevitably leaves parts behind for future spread. Clumps soon become too large to pull by hand due to their deep root system. Plowing/cutting the meadow is also not ideal for similar reasons.
The best method is to dig up the entire plant and remove it. The Land Trust stewardship team has removed trailer loads in the last 30 years, but much remains.
Want to learn more about how the Land Trust manages invasive weeds and other important needed work? Join us for a work party coming up on July 16th!