Getting rid of bamboo?

[MazdaUK]

We've cut down a huge patch of bamboo which spread from our neighbour, but any idea how to get rid of the roots? we can't get a fork into the ground as its so hard and dry, not to mention packed with bamboo roots And now its starting to come up in the grass Help!!!!!!

 

[PinballFamily]

Sadly (and VERY expensively!), we've become experts on getting rid of bamboo. (And we were the ones who paid to put the bamboo in in the first place - totally loved it, but the variety we chose spread too aggressively.)

If you don't have a Sawzall-type (electric reciprocating saw) tool, you may want to buy/borrow one. They are handy for DIY projects anyway, but we used ours a few years back to literally saw straight into the ground in sort of a 1-foot grid pattern to be able to dig up our bamboo shoots. It took two years, but we were able to finally say that we got it all. The running bamboos really can throw their weight around and spread.

Our seasons and timing might be off from yours - but ours used to spread its roots in the summer. It is best to get the roots while they are soft and new, since the longer they are allowed to remain there, the firmer - and more steel-like - they get. Bamboo roots (ours, anyway) were bright gold when they were new and only grew in the top foot of the soil, so at least we didn't have to dig deeply. We tried to saw/dig after rain, so things would be a bit softer, but you may need to water, if rain is sparse. The roots become so entwined with each other, that it is totally impossible to get a garden tool into the mass. Even the skinny saw blade was challenging to insert at first, but once you get started, you can make yourself access holes to saw into the soil to get at the roots. We didn't really have any rocks, but this could be dangerous if your soil is pebbly. You also have to watch for any underground wiring or plumbing! (Not an issue for us, but...)

If you can get the worst of the roots out, then a yearly check and pull-up of any new ones is much, much (MUCH!) easier. That should keep things under control, but you do have to stay on top of it.

We loved the privacy our bamboo gave us from nearby neighbors, but if we ever plant any again, it will be one of the clumping varieties, not a running one! Good luck - and happy to answer any questions if none of this makes sense! P.S. Even if you wanted to, chemicals don't work. You've gotta get the roots up.
Pam

 

[PinballFamily]

Here's a link showing a Sawzall - in case you can't picture what it looks like. We went through a fair number of blades, cutting into the soil and roots. (But they aren't that expensive.) I used the "plunge" type of blades shown in the link and it worked great.

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-650...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1278686918&sr=1-1

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks - I'll show DH when he comes home from work. We've not been able to dig into the mass - we did get a root up near the surface but it just won't budge! We've no wiring or plumbing but the ground in that bed is quite stony, so I'll get DH to have a look.

Thanks for your help. And yes, it does seem to spread in summer - just been cutting it oput of the grass

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Because the bamboo is coming from your neighbor's yard, it will continue to do so even after you get rid of this batch.

After you get this first flush of bamboo out, you will need an underground barrier to prevent the return. That metal flashing for roofs or the corrugated looking stuff will work. You will want to cut a thin trench and put the metal in it. At least 2 feet worths deep and then some sticking out of the ground also. This will force the bamboo to come up out of the ground to spread and you can catch earlier. Be sure you remember the metal is there. You don't want to be running over the metal with your lawn mower. Ouch. I thought about putting in plants or mulch in that area, but you want to be able to see the bamboo before it gets too big.

Good luck.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks - good tip! Luckily that border is separate from the lawn. I read somewhere that mulches don't prevent bamboo

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Thanks - good tip! Luckily that border is separate from the lawn. I read somewhere that mulches don't prevent bamboo

Nope, won't prevent it. Just thought it would look nice.

 

[MazdaUK]

Yes, it would look lovely - we used to have bark all over that bed when we moved in.

 

[DebºoºS]

Nothing to add here. Putting a metal barrier in the ground as mentioned is the only way we were able to sort of control it. Bamboo should be sold with a warning label.
Good luck.

 

[LindaBabe]

If you can't get into the ground, cut it off as low as possible, and paint everything you see with the strongest weed killer you can get. Everytime something new sprouts, hit it with the weed killer again. Keep every visible stump of bamboo covered with weed killer. Unfortunately, it's not an easy fix.

 

[crazyme5kids]

We have the same problem with bamboo our neighbor planted. The best advice is indeed cutting the roots. I also used industrial strength Roundout directly on the cut root. Even with a barrier though you need to be diligent and keep an eye out for new bamboo popping up. The rizones (sp) can jump the barrier, so the bamboo continues to spread. Good luck getting rid of it.

 

[WebmasterCricket]

Two words:

Ditch Witch

http://www.ditchwitch.com/trenchers-plows/walk-behind/RT24-trencher

It will solve your problem in about a day if you buy bamboo barrier to fill the ditch with.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks all. We keep cutting the little shoots down, run out of kiiller so need to buy some more.