Bamboo: Versatile Woody Perennial Grass April 2026 and July 2026 Update
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Many years ago, I received several bamboo plants and proceeded to plant in the lower back of property in the woods. The bamboo was very slow growing for the first 15 years or so, but even then quite beautiful as it stayed green all year long. The bamboo has started to spread, but still manageable at this point.
When I started gardening more and more I became interested in using bamboo for supports for tall spindly plants. At first, even though I had bamboo in my own yard, I purchased a pack of short small diameter bamboo. Oddly, it never crossed my mind to cut mine because it was so tall with thick culms. However, this year I became interested in harvesting my own bamboo and started researching the processes. Being self-sufficient and saving money on gardening supplies is important in today's economy.
I selected older bamboo culms to harvest -- these are not bright green, but brown/gray with discolorations from age. I used a hand-held chainsaw to fell the culms. Stripping the branches was done with pruning shears (smaller branches) and loppers (thicker branches). Using a measuring tape, I marked off 6 ft sections starting at the bottom of each culm.
Not all were exactly 6 ft because the proper way to cut is next to a node, so lengths varied by a few inches. Depending on diameter of markings, chainsaw or loppers were used. After cutting, a small hole was drilled in each internode. This hole is necessary to prevent air pressure build up during heat curing which can result in an explosion of the internode. Each internode is separated by a thin membrane at each node effectively sealing each internode from the next.
The final step in the process: heat curing. Wearing leather gloves and having a cloth rag ready, the bamboo poles were placed across the fire pit 1-3 internodes at a time. When the internodes became shiny from the release of sugary resin within the culm, I removed from the heat and used the cloth to rub the resin into the wood which created a smooth glossy finish. Heat curing will allow the bamboo to be stronger and last longer. There are other ways to cure bamboo, but those involve soaking the bamboo in salt water or other solutions to release the sugars. Heat curing is the quickest way to prepare bamboo for immediate use.
While in the woods, I knocked down a new green culm about 20 ft tall and still very soft. I didn't want to waste the bamboo, so I cut it to lengths and put the sections inside my barn to dry for 3-6 months before it will be ready to heat cure and use. I'm now ready to start building some trellises for vining vegetable plants. Update to follow!
I'm glad to have this bamboo forest in my back yard -- no more buying expensive stakes and small supports from local stores. I'm very interested in finding more ways to use bamboo. Please feel free to leave comments. Let me know if you have any experience with bamboo and the ways in which you've utilized it around your garden or home.
Update: 7-11-2026
I have determined this is Golden Bamboo which is a running variety. I am going to actively begin cutting the culms and destroying new shoots each spring to prevent spreading of this grass beyond my property. I hate having to do it because I love the bamboo; however, there are only a few ways to stop the spread of bamboo. I did not know enough about bamboo when this was planted some 25+ years ago and did not install a barrier or trench around the initial plants. I don't want heavy equipment in the woods and tearing up the sloped property, so the only real method left for me is to cut down all the existing culms beginning late fall and into the winter, then each spring beginning in late February through June I'll need to cut down all new shoots. This will probably take 2-3 years to complete the process and then periodic checking to make sure new shoots and culms are not forming. Prior to beginning the cutting of culms, I will be eliminating and removing English Ivy which was planted on the property when I purchased it in 1993. I have no choice but to use an herbicide to begin to kill the ivy in large patches and work my way through. I'll start in the areas in and around the bamboo so I can more clearing see all the culms/shoots. I anticipate the ivy to take more time to eliminate than the bamboo just because the ivy covers more area. So maybe in 3-4 years I can have the ivy until control or removed. I would like to use the wooded area without invasive plants and possible plant fig trees and expand my gardening to some in-ground plantings for vegetable, too.
So if anyone would like some bamboo poles, please contact me. I'll let you know when they are being cut and available for pick up.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marie
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