Bamboo Fencing

Intro: Bamboo Fencing

 I use bamboo fencing for a number of things in the garden. 
As a trellis, it will support flowers such as morning glories.
As a teepee, it can support heavier things like green beans
and other climbers. I have even used it for supporting tomatoes. 

STEP 1: Bean Trellis

STEP 2: Flat Upright Trellis

STEP 3:

 Shown is a flat trellis sketched over a row of morning glories. The trellis disappears behind all the greenery as the morning glories grow. The illustration shows how the trellis supports the flowers.
I 

STEP 4: Tomato Cages

 These are simply upright bamboo stakes driven into the ground
and secured with jute twine.
Tie the shoots to the sides of the cage as shown in the photo below.
Even the garden gate has been reinforced and decorated with bamboo.
More on that in another instructable.

Comments

[shadowofblood]

I've been thinking about planting some clumping bamboo to use as a "living" privacy wall so I don't have to see my neighbor's makeshift driveway, Lol.

[wheelbme]

Sir, I live in SE Texas. We don't have much bamboo there. Where can I get some seed or shoots? Will it take over my yard? Is it hard to grow? Thanks

[shadowofblood]

You can find bamboo online easily. You may be able to find it in local gardening supply stores and garden centers.
Bamboo is actually a grass. There are two types of bamboo: running and clumping.
Clumping will stay in small clumps, generally grow very tall, and not spread.
Running will stay short and send rhizomes underground, spreading quickly. Running bamboos can and will take over a yard, and even spread under sidewalks and edges into neighbors' yards.

[Jayefuu]

I like your illustration in Step 3!

What do you find best to cut it with? Do you dry it before using it? If planted again straight away will it root and take over your plants?

[dweyerma]

 I cut the bamboo either of two ways: 1) with lopers that have long handles because the stalks are tough to cut through with smaller handle versions, or 2) hand saws common to carpentry projects. I have a small Japanese hand saw that is really sharp and works well for me.

Dry or green bamboo does not matter so much to me as they usually only last a season or two. Dried stalks usually last longer.

Bamboo will not root from cut stalks. They are kind of like strawberries in that they put out shoots or runners. They are removed and transplanted around this time of year, in May, and will usually produce new plants the following year.