Growing Bamboo For Privacy

by DoItYourself Staff

Growing bamboo is perfect for creating a natural privacy border. Enjoy the delicate leaves of bamboo while reducing noise and getting more privacy. Bamboo is a dense, fast growing grass that needs little maintenance. Depending on the variety of bamboo it can grow from 3 to 100 feet high.

Two Types of Bamboo Plants

Clumping
Running

Clumping bamboo forms a compact root system that expands only a couple of inches a year. It grows mostly in tropical climates. Running bamboo grows runners that spread far from the main root. Runners are hard to control unless some kind of concrete or plastic barrier is used to keep them contained. Running bamboo tolerates cold climates.

Step 1-Time of Year and Temperture for Bamboo Planting

In warm climates bamboo plants can be planted anytime of year. For colder climates bamboo planting should be done in the spring after the last frost. Ground temperture needs to be 40 degrees F for bamboo roots to grow.

Step 2-Selecting a Location for Growing Bamboo

Bamboo likes full sun to partial shade. Bamboo plants need rich well drained soil. Good drainage is important because the roots of bamboo plants don’t do well when the soil is drenched. Young bamboo plants have to be protected from wind and scorching.

Step 3-Soil for Bamboo Planting

Bamboo is a grass so it needs nitrogen to grow and stay healthy. Grass clippings, hay and commercial compost are all good for adding nitrogen to the soil. The soil should be loose and rich with organic matter.

Step 4- Bamboo Planting

Loosen soil and remove any weeds. Dig a hole and fill it with half soil and half compost leaving room for the plant. Place bamboo plant in the hole. The base of the plant should be at soil level. Apply mulch around the bamboo plant to keep the area moist.

Step 5-Watering Bamboo Plants

Bamboo plants need regular watering the first year. Once bamboo plants are established allow the soil to dry between watering. Full grown bamboo plants only need watering during drought conditions. A sign that bamboo plants are dehydrated is when the leaves curl up.

Step 6-Mulching Bamboo Plants

Apply two to three inches of mulch around growing bamboo. Do not rake any leaves that fall off the bamboo plants because they help enrich the soil and protect the plant’s root system in the winter. Keep a thick layer of mulch around bamboo plants in the winter.