cutting back pampas grass

We have had several of these architectural "clumps" over the years and have learnt to handle with care!
Very attractive whilst at their best but on the coast here usually get beaten badly by the winds so get untidy.
We have usually dealt with clearing them ourselves........handling with caution........however the proper way it seems is to actually set fire to them.
Perhaps having someone experienced might be the safest answer, especially if its at your frontage..... and near to your house.
I am sure others will give you better advice Fennel so I shall simply add........Good luck.

Hire a minidigger & driver and get it dug out and burned. Cutting it back won't solve any problems; it'll just bounce back as large as ever.

I read (I think on mumsnet, where they know that sort of thing ) that in the 70s, pampas grass in front garden was an indication that 'swingers' lived in the house. I'd get rid before an ancient swinger knocks at your door...

MaizieD just what I was thinking!

We had a huge clump which I hated. We couldn't set fire to it as there were phone lines over it. Eventually I persuaded DH to dig it out. It was a lot of work and had to be done when the birds had finished nesting. Be careful if you do set fire to it as it goes up like a rocket.

Just to be clear; setting fire to it just gets rid of the current growth, it doesn't kill it. It regrows...

MawBroon, the swingers?

Yes. They were considered the height of vulgarity

If you can't safely set fire to it, digging it out is the only option.

Yes MaizieD

Sounds like a major job. No possibility of setting fire to it - it's right bang up against the window, and the house is in a sort of enclosed square.
But we'd better deal with it soon - don't want swingers knocking at the door.

Wow again!!!!!! this news about Pampas Grasses denoting swingers living there..............now I realise why we have had so many lovely couples queuing up outside our door over the years!!!!

(We should be so lucky!!)

Well, you live and learn! ??
I shan’t look at houses with pampas grass in quite the same way, now!

There must have been a helluva lot of swingers around in the early 70s!! Including DH's parents - perish the thought!

I'm growing one on in a pot to fill a large gap in the back of a border which is mostly grasses anyway.

Should be a good few years before I need to reach for a box of matches.

I mentioned it to DH today and was surprised when he said he was going to cut it down himself! It's his office which is darkened by it.
We'll see .

I used to have to trim mine back weekly. When I tried to get rid of it, I could only cut it back a certain amount so decided to set fire to it. I do not recommend that! At first it would not light, but when it did the flames were as high as the house and my son and I were rushing for buckets of water to douse the flames.

Husband has got the wind in his sails and taken the chainsaw to the pampas grass. Now driving our trailer round to pick it up.
I hope he manages it because the front is a pedestrianised area.

My parents were the least 'swingy' people you could ever meet!