Digging up a large ornamental grass- help!

[Melfish]

I'm a complete novice gardener, and in my garden I have a large ornamental grass (I think it could be a pampas grass) that must've been planted by the previous owners.

The garden is quite small and this grass is at the end of the one flowerbed, next to a raised paved area. I'd like to sort out the bed and get rid of the grass as it hogs a good amount of space. I've trimmed it a bit to try and get a better view of the roots but I suspect some of it may be under the paved area.

Do I have a chance of digging up this plant, and if so, how?!

thanks

First you need a crate of beer, then you ask two big strong men to come round and dig it up, it will be hard work and that's why you need two of them and a crate of beer.

To be frank pampas is an utter cock. I have a Mahoosive one in my front garden, it makes such a mess shedding its dead parts and my DD2 is always bloodying her hands on the sharp leaves. The best thing you can do is lever it out bit by bit- the roots of grasses don't go very deep. A bonfire will get you rid of the waste as pampas goes up like petrol. Enjoy having half your garden back!

Wait until it is very dry and then set fire to it to reduce its weight. Then get a friend with a small digger - otherwise pace yourself for a long dig to get the roots out.

or give it a good dose of glyphospate followed by a match.........

Personally, I wouldn't go the fire route.

A local family's gardener tried that method 'round here a few days ago. It was a bit windy, and sparks blew into the air and landed on the wood trim near the roof. A huge fire erupted, and the whole top floor of the house is now gone....

I don't think I'll do the fire route,it's about a foot away from a minging 1970s garage with asbestos roof. As much as I hate my garage and the pampas grass, I think I'd better do the conventional thing and get some nice strong chaps to dig it out for me!

thanks for all your advice!