Q: How do I get rid of two large pampas grass plants? Can I burn them? Dig them up?

A: Burning is usually not successful because the roots are protected by soil.

I’d chop them down to six inches tall and then run over the clump with a lawnmower. The clump will sprout weakly during warm weather but you can easily mow over the short stems, which will eventually starve the plant to death.

If you need to remove the pampas clumps to plant something else, sharpen your shovel and slice out pieces of the root system, starting at the edge and moving to the center. Be advised that this is a lot of work!