Fountain grass

Larry A Kronemeyer · Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:03 am

For those landlords who haven't yet trimmed their fountain grass, save some for the martins to use in nest building. The female martins love it and it doesn't seem to rot like straw does. I saved a trash can full of the stuff and I cut it to manageable size for the martins and to fit the b&b. Don't use zebra grass, it's too sharp. Our variety is miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'.

The ladies are currently grabbing it as fast as they can. Nest building time in Illinois.

Dave Reynolds · Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:45 pm

Larry ——. Thanks for the heads up... Will save mine too when I clean it up this Spring..

Dave

taxidermy lady · Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:58 pm

Is this what your talking about Judy?? I saved some of this when I cut it this winter! Not sure what it called! Ornamental grass is what I always called it! Lol. I will take a picture of the dry stuff I have in a bucket!

Larry A Kronemeyer · Sun Apr 22, 2018 9:12 pm

Sharon,
The photo looks different from the miscanthus sinesis gracillismus, but it could work. Check the edges of the leaves. If they feel sharp like a saw edge, you don't want to use it. That would be porcupine grass, zebra grass, or razor grass. Too sharp, I wouldn't recommend it. It's tough on the hands and I wouldn't trust it. If you can handle it without cutting yourself it should be good to use.

My yard is a mess under the b&b. All the dropped grass cut-ups from the ladies picking through it to find the perfect piece to add to the nest.

I'll rake it up and reuse it.

taxidermy lady · Mon Apr 23, 2018 6:52 am

Ok I’ll check it out today! Thank you!

My first female went to the eggshells yesterday! April 5th is when the first pair showed up so maybe her egg tract is developing!

taxidermy lady · Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:10 pm

I just took a picture of the grass I saved! It does not seem like it cuts me! It’s nice and smooth! I’ll put some out with pine straw. I’m assuming they’ll take it if they want it! Ok thanks!

Dave Reynolds · Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:29 pm

taxidermy lady wrote:I just took a picture of the grass I saved! It does not seem like it cuts me! It’s nice and smooth! I’ll put some out with pine straw. I’m assuming they’ll take it if they want it! Ok thanks!

That looks like some good grass ,,, They will love it....

Dave

Larry A Kronemeyer · Mon Apr 23, 2018 5:42 pm

Dave is right, looks like good grass.
Go ahead and try it.

JRow · Wed Apr 25, 2018 2:57 pm

Hi Larry,

We don’t have fountain grass in the area but I know the northern martins like tall grass. I cut bunches before greenup and many use it for nest building. Even the stems are popular. My females sometimes try to drag 2 ft long stems into the gourds. Some get the job done and others, not so much! Easy to spot nest building with a foot of grass hanging out of the gourd

John Miller · Sat Apr 28, 2018 9:32 am

Larry if you or others in the east side (St. Louis metro) can swing by Cahokia Mounds anytime...just take a moment to observe the gourd rack on the parking lot. I checked last Sunday and all seemed well but any help to just let me know if something doesn't look right. I found the staff had one of the gourds backward...not a big deal and I did not notice myself until I had the rack lowered. Some of the gourds have a lot of poop on them..I will rinse it off next time I'm there. Thank You, John Miller 314 781 2525