I was just outside looking at my stand of Ravenna Grass, which has just broken into flower, and wondering the same thing. The flower stalks are 12-14' high, and the panicles are just opening, so they are susceptible to damage from both wind and rain. The storm is due here in a few hours, and I've decided to do nothing. We will be on the fringe of the storm, and I think they'll do ok.

You can easily tie up your newly planted grasses, using the method you describe. I would put stakes in solid ground, downwind of the rootball. Then tie the grass with twine, to hold it together in a column. Then tie the column to the stakes, which will help keep it in the ground when the wind picks up.

Earl hasn't turned out to be much of a hurricane, and no matter where you are, chances are you're on the weak side of the storm.

Good luck.

Make that upwind..the side of the plant the worst wind will be coming from.

The first band of rain came through, and was only about a quarter inch, but it weighed down the open panicles so much the perimeter stalks were laying about halfway down.

I went out and took a loop around the whole stand, at about 7' high, and cinched it up nice and tight. It looks a bit 'girdled' but should do the trick. The main bands are just a few minutes away, and the wind is starting to kick up.

Thanks Donn, decided to tie them up last night and then put a post in the ground and tied/connected them to the post with twine to try to keep them upright - glad I did as Earl has changed its path somwhat for Nova Scotia and is now expected to make landfall 2 hours from where I am located. Hope you fared well...

Earl turned out to be a no-show for me. That first 1/4" of rain was all I got, and it's windier now than when he went by. It's bright and sunny, and the humidity is gone. Lovely day for gardening!