If you’ve ever Googled “how to grow bamboo” and walked away more confused than when you started, this complete guide to growing bamboo is exactly what you needed. I’ve been growing bamboo in the Pacific Northwest for over fifteen years. My grove now holds 40 distinct varieties — from cold-hardy Phyllostachys giants to delicate tropical … Read more
Bamboo is completely legal to grow in Arizona — there is no state law, county ordinance, or municipal regulation in Arizona that prohibits it. But before you order a dozen culms and start digging, there are a few things worth knowing that could save you a lot of trouble down the road. I say that … Read more
Bamboo is not federally regulated in the United States — there is no nationwide ban on planting it. But depending on where you live, your state, county, city, or even your HOA may have something very specific to say about it. I learned this the hard way after planting a stand of Phyllostachys aureosulcata (yellow … Read more
Understanding your bamboo’s growth cycle is essential if you want to move beyond guesswork and actually see predictable results year after year. I’ve spent enough seasons watching clumps succeed and fail to recognize that what happens in those first few years—especially how you feed them—determines whether you’ll have a thriving, tall grove or a struggling … Read more
My husband Dave and I don’t fight often, but the summer I decided to plant a bamboo privacy fence along our back property line, we came closer to a real blowup than we had in fifteen years of marriage. I’m talking slammed doors, silent dinners, and one very tense conversation in the driveway at 10 … Read more