Q: I have a big pampas grass plant. Despite my best intentions, I do not always cut it back in late winter. Recently the center has become hollow; any way to fix that?

A: Even if you had pruned it back, you’d have the same result, it just would have taken longer. A grass clump slowly expands over time. The center collects debris and fallen leaves and slowly becomes lifeless. The best way to fix your clump is to dig small pieces of the plant from the edge. When you have two or three, dig the rest of the clump out of the ground (some folks say dynamite helps a little to dislodge the roots!) and discard it. Plant the saved clumps in the same spot and try to remember to prune every year.