{"id":2190,"date":"2019-03-23T12:15:18","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T12:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2190"},"modified":"2020-01-22T08:42:10","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T08:42:10","slug":"14-tips-for-growing-bamboo-in-your-home-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-tips-for-growing-bamboo-in-your-home-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Tips for Growing Bamboo in Your Home Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bamboo is a member of the family Poaceae. You\u2019ll find bamboo on most continents except Europe and Antarctica. Most of the species that you see today came from China, South America, Central America, or Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many bamboo species come from plains on mountainous regions of Asia where the temperature can go as low as -30 degrees Celsius during the winter. After dealing with the harsh cold for so long, bamboo has become quite an enduring plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their resilience makes them great plants to plant in North America and Europe. Furthermore, there are various tropical bamboo species that came from Africa, Asia, and Australia. These tropical varieties need to stay in frost-free conditions if they hope to survive in gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these tropical variants of bamboo are harder to care for, they are truly one of the most gorgeous creations of nature that you\u2019ll ever see. Here is some crucial information that you\u2019ll need to know if you hope to add bamboo to your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Growth Rate, Spacing, and Placement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to bamboo, the appropriate spacing is 3-5 feet apart from one another. It will allow you to pack your plants densely without risking growth problems due to overcrowding. If you have some varieties of bamboo that grow faster, be sure to set them further away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in a rush to fill your garden, you can plant your bamboo in close formation as long as they have enough space to grow and spread. Bamboo is a resilient plant, and as such, planting them back to back won\u2019t cause much harm to them, though it may slow down their growth speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not going for a dense look, you can set your bamboo 10 to 20 feet apart. Bamboo takes a while to grow, and likely won\u2019t reach mature height until five years from the initial planning. Clumping bamboo will grow at a rate of around two feet each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Planting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now one of the most important stages in the bamboo growing process, the actual planting. Start by using some manure or compost to nourish the soil where you\u2019ll plant your bamboo. The best time to accomplish this is when you\u2019re digging out the drainage holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insert the bamboo into the hole and ensure that the top of its root mass is on the same level as the top of your soil. You should dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the roots of your bamboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the remaining compost to nourish the soil you use to refill the hole. This will ensure that you have proper drainage in the soil surrounding the roots and will even enrich the area with nutrients that your plants need to grow up healthy and strong. Finish the process off by laying down two or three inches of compost on top of the bamboo then give it some water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Winter is coming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can really plant bamboo during any season and any time throughout the year. This holds true for those who live in milder climates, but those who live in colder regions should ensure that they plant the bamboo early enough that they\u2019ll be strong enough to survive once winter comes along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plant your bamboo too late in the year, be sure to heavily mulch your plant so that it will an extra layer of protection from the cold breeze of winter. Heavy mulching is sometimes the only way to ensure your bamboo survives in the coldest regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in hotter regions such as Arizona in the United States, you\u2019ll want to wait for spring or fall before you plant your bamboo. If you want to plant your bamboo under the heat of summer, be sure to at least give it some shade so that it can grow in peace before having to deal with the harsh temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Fertilizer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are various types of fertilizer that can work well for your bamboo. As a rule of thumb, you should always use lawn fertilizer on your bamboo during summer and early spring as these are the periods when bamboo will grow most actively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s recommended that you use organic and mild fertilizers. If you take this route, be sure to use it at a higher rate than you normally would. If you\u2019re wondering how often you should apply the fertilizer, just read the labeling on the package and see what the manufacturer recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get vigorous bamboo, you\u2019ll need to fertilize them at least three times a year. If you want to improve the soil further, you can cover the ground with a few inches of manure. A couple of inches around the base of the plant can help it grow faster and spread further. Be sure to set some borders so your bamboo doesn\u2019t spread into the garden of your neighbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Maintaining control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to control your bamboo is through annual root pruning. Be sure to steer clear of air pockets or loose soil otherwise you might end up going deeper than you intended, maybe even going beneath the barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you place the barrier, be sure to compact the soil tightly when refilling the hole. A cheaper way of controlling the spread of bamboo could be to surround it with a 10-inch trench. The trench will ensure that the bamboo is contained and doesn\u2019t spread all over your lawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that trenches aren\u2019t a fool-proof solution, and bamboo will manage to spread across it at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to ensure that your bamboo stays in its designated area, you can check on the trenches every fall and summer to see if your plants have made an attempt to cross the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If all else fails, make like Trump and build a wall; and be sure to make the bamboo pay for the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gardening novices often wonder if you can grow bamboo in containers. We\u2019re happy to report that the answer is a resounding yes. That being said, there are some things that you need to consider before you stick a piece of bamboo in your Rubbermaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to grow your bamboo in containers, you\u2019ll need to divide or re-pot them every two years. Some incidents show aggressive species such as black bamboo bursting clean through the container that they were growing in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to report your bamboo is in the spring when they are actively growing. Many bamboos will be able to escape their containers if they aren\u2019t properly tended to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bamboo will also grow shorter when in containers. While some species could reach up to 30 feet in height when grown outdoors, they might be limited to a more modest height of 15 feet when grown in containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Watering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve just planted your bamboos, you\u2019ll need to water them frequently to ensure that they can establish themselves before winter comes along. You\u2019ll need to water your bamboo two times a week when in mind weather and four or more times a week when you\u2019re in especially hot weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your bamboo falls into the five-gallon pot size range, it should get at least half a gallon of water. If you have plants beyond the five-gallon pot range, you should ensure that they get one gallon of water or more depending on their size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your bamboo has reached a height you\u2019re happy with, you won\u2019t have to water them as much. Until then, you\u2019ll need to provide a constant stream of water and fertilizer if you hope to ever reach that point. Insufficient watering during the early days of bamboo growth can lead to reduced speed and even premature death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Pruning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much like other plants, you\u2019ll need to prune your bamboo if you hope to keep it looking good as new. The bamboo culms can live for as long as fifteen years. And groves of bamboo that produce new canes can endure decades on end, likely outliving you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should always remove any unattractive culms at least once a year. If you see dead branches, cut those off too. If you need to cut some branches off, do so right above the node so that you don\u2019t leave an unsightly stub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you cut a chunk off the top, you should consider shortening the side branches so that the bamboo has a more uniform look. Clumping bamboo actually grows faster with regular pruning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have compared it to how hair grows faster when cut, though dermatologists have debunked that myth. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on your bamboo grove to keep everything shipshape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Hedges, no hogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can cut bamboo to form a hedge much as you might do with boxwood or other types of plants. The best time to do this is right after new culms have grown to their full potential in the summer or springtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should limit the project one major pruning, and then follow up with minor revisions throughout the year. If you need to keep the height and size of your bamboo uniform, you can simply remove new shoots that don\u2019t fit the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shoots that you remove will in time be replaced by smaller culms that will grow shorter. Bear in mind that you should only attempt this with established bamboo, never ones that have just been planted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shoots you removed can still be used. You can use the spare bamboo to create a lawn chair or sell it off for some extra cash. You\u2019d be surprised how desirable bamboo is, especially in arid climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Staking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you plant bamboo, you should stake it during the first year of its growth process until the root mass is able to anchor the stem in place and support the weight on its own. This will ensure that strong gusts of wind don\u2019t uproot your bamboo or damage juvenile shoots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to support tall bamboo plants is by attaching a rope to them that is itself attached to the culms. You can use three or more guy lines depending on how severe the gusts of wind are. Some have said that they like to use four ropes since it\u2019s one for each direction on the compass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grab some two-foot stakes and drive them into the ground. A foot and a half is generally a good depth. Keep the stakes no less than six feet away from the target bamboo. Wooden stakes are pretty good options, and you can even use old bamboo shoots for the stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Soil needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bamboo can grow in most types of soil, be it clay-based or sand. The root system of bamboo is very shallow in comparison to other plants. It\u2019s generally around 30 centimeters for smaller bamboo and up to 50 centimeters for larger specimens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the right type of soil isn\u2019t as important with bamboo growing as it might be for vegetable gardens or perennial plants. What\u2019s more important is that you surround the soil near your bamboo with enough mulch and fertilizer to keep your gorgeous wooden pillars healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find that most species of bamboo prefer soil that is well-drained. They don\u2019t enjoy growing in overly wet areas such as swamps. Always check to make sure that the soil around your bamboo isn\u2019t flooded. You should test the drainage holes to see if they are doing their job properly or if they need a touchup. If water is pooling up, widen your drainage holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Mulch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anything organic that decomposes can be used as mulch. It\u2019s important to enrich your soil to ensure that the bamboo gets enough nutrients to grow up healthy. Getting dead leaves during fall is a great way to build up material for our mulch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straw and grass clipping can also be used for mulch after you turn it into compost. Once you have your mulch, spread it across the soil surrounding the bamboo. Don\u2019t worry about the mulch touching the stem of the bamboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike trees, the mulch doesn\u2019t negatively affect the bamboo. Any shoots that start growing will still be able to get past the mulch layer even if it is rather thick. Some people like to use rotten tomatoes from their vegetable garden as it can make for an effective mulch and help you make use of food that would be otherwise wasted. Eggshells are another good option for mulch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Plant in the spring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bamboo prefers to be in warm temperatures that are free of frost. When under the right conditions, your bamboo can grow at a rather rapid pace. You should plant your seeds right after the last frost of winter concludes to get the best outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re growing your bamboo from the ground up with seeds, you should start planting them very early in the springtime so that they\u2019ll be strong enough when winter comes to challenge them. If you instead decide to transfer established seedlings into your garden, you can plant them at any time of spring, not just the early phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never plant bamboo in the fall as winter will come along before it has a chance to establish itself. This is especially true for those who live in cold regions. In the same way, if you live in hot areas, you should plant your seeds early in spring or fall so that they don\u2019t have to deal with the scorching summer during the first stages of their growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Consider selling excess bamboo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a town that allows the sale of bamboo, you should consider selling off any spare shoots to your neighbors. Selling bamboo shoots to your neighbors can actually be rather lucrative. Why toss your spare bamboo when you could convert it into cold hard cash to offset the cost of fertilizer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to sell your spare bamboo is by putting an ad up in the local paper and getting a sign on your porch that says \u201cselling bamboo.\u201d If you want to unload your stock quicker, you could partner up with some plant stores and be their supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great way to profit off of your bamboo is by crafting some bamboo items with the excess shoots and then selling those off at craft stores or even websites like Etsy. Lawn chairs, rakes, and tiki bars are just a few things that you can create using bamboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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