How do we trim our lemon grass, which has grown very tall and full, but with thin stalks. We live in San Diego.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/harvesting-lemongrass.htm
You can continue to cut the lemongrass foliage most of the year and it will regrow.
I planted a lemongrass plant last fall. It grew well, about 4 ft. high, and was lovely. Over winter, in Redlands, California, it got dry leaves. Now it is full of dry leaves and has some clusters of 'flowers' on it. Should I have cut it down to 1-2 feet to get rid of all the dry leaves?
Yes, I would treat it like an ornamental grass and trim it back each year. Do it now, this year, but in the future, do the trimming in either late fall or early spring.
I have a hill that I killed the grass on and weeds have taken over. I want to grow something that will come back every year and that is nice to look at. On the top of the hill though, the lemongrass and creeping charlie are taking over. What should I do?
Here is an article that you may find helpful: http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Sonoma_Gardener_Articles/Gardening_on_a_Hillside/
For additional ideas, try these articles as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/watering-hillside-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/growing-vegtable-garden-hill.htm
It is full. Now I need/want to keep it under control. How do I trim it/ keep it to the size I want?
Just cut it off. To reduce the size of the clump, wait for decent weather (you don't say where you live) and divide the clump and then replant what you want.
I want to know how to prepare land for lemongrass.
Lemongrass prefers to be grown in sandy-like soil that is kept evenly moist. Turn over the soil well so that it is well drained. You do not have to add fertilizer to the soil before planting lemongras, but an application of mulch will help retain the soil moisture. This article has more infromation on growing lemongrass: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/learn-about-growing-lemon-grass-plant.htm
How long does a lemon grass plant live for?
It depends on how it is cared for. Most clumping herbs, like lemon grass can live essentially forever if they get the proper care and are divided every few years to reinvigorate them. If you find that your lemon grass is dying out, especially from the center out, then it may be time to divide it. The dividing forces the plant to rejuvenate and grow itself, and bring it back to its previous vigor. Plus, you now have plants to share with friends as well.
How would you go about caring for a lemon grass plant in the house when the plant it getting too tall? I have two lemon plants and I have repotted them to a larger pot. They are growing great but they are getting too tall. Can they be cut back wilthout damaging the plants? Also, right now the plants are on the patio but we live int the mountains of NC. We will have to bring them inside soon. Is the care inside different than outside?
Yes, you can cut them back. They respond well to being trimmed.
Indoors, they will need high light, as much light as you can give it. Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Even then, you should expect that keeping it over winter is more of a way to make it survive, rather than thrive. It will begin to look rather ragged by spring, but will bounce back quickly when placed back outside.
For this reason, many people choose to put the plant in dormancy for the winter. This is simply putting it in a cool, dark, dry place for the winter and watering once a month until you can place it outside for the spring and resume normal care.