Killing Bamboo, Here's How It's Done

What seems to be a decorative plant can quickly turn into a pest, invading your garden and taking over other plants. If this happens to you, how do you stop it? Well there are a few methods of removing bamboo both chemically and chemical free.

Both are effective and it really just comes down to personal preference as to which method you want to use. Before you employ chemicals to remove bamboo though, you first have to do some physical removal.

This section of removal is going to require some diligence and hard work. What you will need to do is cut the bamboo at ground level. At ground level, you ask, What is that going to do? Well, the reason for this has to do with the chemicals we are using and the level of resilience bamboo has to these chemicals.

You see, once bamboo is fully developed they cannot be removed through herbicide. So in order to effectively remove them you will need new shoots to grow in place of the fully developed stems. This is best done in winter so you can commence herbicidal treatment in Spring or Summer.

Once it gets to late spring, your shoots should start to grow back. When this happens you are going to want to destroy the root systems underneath by severing them. It is important that you sever as many as possible in order to ensure regrowth does not occur.

Now you will be ready to apply the herbicide. You're going to want to apply it over the entire plant, roots and all. This will ensure it effectively kills all parts of the plant. You can also use a root killer as an alternative if so desired. Repeat this treatment a few times as once will not be enough.

When using herbicide make sure to read and follow all instructions given on the packet.

Killing Bamboo Chemical Free

Not a fan of herbicide? That's not an issue. You can also kill bamboo chemical free. It may take more work but if you're a fan of the natural then it will be worth it. There are a few methods of killing bamboo that are chemical free. Once again, it really depends on your personal preference as to which one you go with. One of the most prominent chemical free bamboo removal though is by digging the plant out of the ground.

In order to dig the bamboo out of the ground you're going to want to use a spade. It is of extreme importance that you also remove the root system. Otherwise the bamboo will merely grow back.

It is also important to remember that bamboo is a plant of extreme resilience and this will not be accomplished overnight. In fact, it may take months or years to completely remove the infestation. The trick is to be patient and to continue to dig up whatever returns. In time, you will remove it.

If you're not a fan of manual labour then bamboo can also be killed through starvation. To achieve this you're going to need a tarp. With this method you will still be required to cut down the stalks.

Once removed you can place the tarp over the affected area. What this will do is stop sunlight and rain from reaching the bamboo stalks, effectively rendering it unable to grow or stay alive. You will also want to weigh the tarp down as to keep air from getting in.

This can easily be achieved by placing heavy objects around the edges of the tarp. This will also take many months to a year. Eradicating bamboo, chemically or not, is a complicated process but with patience and perseverance it can be done and your garden can return to normal.

Various Methods of Removal

Method of Removal.	Time Taken.	Notes.
Chemical.	Up to a year.	Cut down the bamboo stalks, destroy the root system and apply pesticide.
Non-Chemical.	Up to a year.	Repeatedly dig out the plant and root systems.
Starvation.	Up to a year.	Cut down the bamboo stalks and then place an anchored tarp over the stems thus depriving them of water, sun and air.

Preventing Bamboo From Becoming a Pest

So you have bamboo plants and they are not yet a major concern. Can you keep them from turning into a pest? The answer is yes, with some hard work and preparation you can stop your bamboo plants from taking over the rest of your garden.

This is well worth it if you want bamboo plants but don't want them from spreading rapidly and taking over your other plants. It does prove to be a little more difficult but if done correctly is well worth the rewards.

The first thing you need with this method is a barrier. It will have to be around 3 deep feet as most root systems will not reach this far. You want to make the barrier open sided as this will prevent the roots and therefore the plant from spreading into the rest of the garden.

The barrier can be made from plastic or metal but not wood as the roots can grow through it. The next step is to apply the barrier. This will stop any roots from spreading. Make sure it is at least 3 feet tall or the roots could grow underneath it. Now all you have to do is regularly check it.

It is important to consistently check the roots as to make sure they are not spreading. If they do, merely cut them up and make sure they are completely destroyed.

Now you know the methods of killing or containing bamboo you should have no trouble from eradicating this forceful plant from your garden. The quicker you get onto it, the less work it will be for you. So if you see your bamboo getting out of control, deal with it now, it'll be well worth your while.