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
If you’ve got an unwanted bamboo stand in your yard—whether it’s an escaped ornamental clump or an aggressive running species like Phyllostachys—you need to pick a removal method that fits your actual situation, not just the one that sounds easiest. I’ve tested most of them, and they vary wildly in cost, labor, time commitment, and … Read more
By the end of year two, I was ready to give up on the south grove entirely. I had planted a mixed stand of Phyllostachys aureosulcata and Phyllostachys nigra in what I thought was decent ground — slightly acidic, good…
I’ve spent the last 15 years growing bamboo — commercially and on my own 3-acre property in the Pacific Northwest. I currently cultivate 14 species, sell poles and plants to landscapers and homeowners, and probably spend 30 to 40 days…
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
Mississippi has one of the most favorable climates for bamboo in North America — hot summers, mild winters across the southern half of the state, and the kind of humidity that makes bamboo genuinely thrive. If you’ve been wondering whether growing bamboo in Mississippi is a realistic option for your yard or property, the short … Read more
If your bamboo crosses a property line and causes damage, you can be held legally responsible — and that responsibility doesn’t disappear just because the roots moved on their own. This is the legal reality that catches most bamboo growers off guard, and it’s one worth understanding before you plant a single culm. Bamboo as … Read more
I want to tell you about the day I accidentally ordered what I thought was a small decorative bamboo plant and instead received something that looked like it could house a family of pandas. It arrived on my doorstep in a box so tall my mail carrier left a passive-aggressive note. My neighbor watched me … Read more
I still remember standing in my backyard in Phoenix, staring at a pile of dead plants and a credit card bill I didn’t want to open. I had spent nearly $400 on ornamental grasses, tropical shrubs, and yes — bamboo — that a well-meaning nursery employee swore would “do great out here.” Three months later, … Read more
I want to tell you about the day I accidentally ordered what I can only describe as “an alarming quantity of bamboo seeds” while half-asleep at 11 p.m., convinced I was being practical. My neighbor Larry — bless his heart — runs a leaf blower every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. like he’s personally declared … Read more