It's important to prepare the soil well in the autumn before planting the following spring. It is during establishment that the conditions are set for a successful Miscanthus crop for decades to come. Heavier clay soil needs to be ploughed and subsoiled well in autumn to achieve a nice tilth in the spring, with help from winter frost that will break down the soil further, leading to finer soil for planting. If heavy or light land needs subsoiling, the operation will be far more successful if done during August or September, when the soil is dry. Light, sandy and gravelly soils can throw up a lot of perennial weeds and volunteers. Weed control in the establishment phase of Miscanthus is essential because poor control can hamper the successful development of the crop. It’s vital that fields should be cleared of perennial weeds before any planting takes place. Once established no further deweeding will be required as Miscanthus will outgrown any weeds.