My Garden

HELP - MY BAMBOO IS TAKING OVER MY GARDEN!!!

Last post 18-10-2009 3:10 PM by Arrem. 4 replies.

• 17/10/2009 09:20 AM

  Gillie Location: Cheltenham Joined on: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 1

  Reply | Contact Hi Everyone, A few years ago, my partner landscaped my tiny little overgrown garden into a fantastic garden complete with a big fish pond. However, as it matured, unfortunately, so did the bamboo, which started off as a small plant by a fence in the pond half of the garden. It's now taking over a hug area of my garden and ruining it. I actually have to fight my way thru it under the wooden archway to get to the pond! I've seen reports of chopping it down then digging it out, and spraying Roundup on it, although it seems debateable as to where and when to use Roundup. My partner did actually use a mini gas powered flamethrower on it once, which seemed to stop some of it in it's tracks but it's back again! Apart from moving house, any other suggestions would be welcome. Many thanks, Gillie.

• 17/10/2009 10:13 AM	In reply to
  sue1002 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Joined on: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 5,200	Reply | Contact  There was a thread very similar to this a few days ago http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/t/24343.aspx sue1002

• 17/10/2009 10:38 AM	In reply to
  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 3,347	Reply | Contact  If you repeatedly cut down every cane you'll weaken the plant and it'll then be much easier to get rid of. Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 17/10/2009 04:36 PM	In reply to
  Cosmo Location: Joined on: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 15	Reply | Contact I'd use a sharp spade or axe to go through the roots........?

• 18/10/2009 03:10 PM

  In reply to

  Arrem Location: West Midlands. UK Joined on: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 90

  Reply | Contact Cutting it back and digging it up may not be a good idea as the Roundup does need leaves so the plant can take up the chemical.  Bamboo is a bit like couch grass in that it is a tenacious plant which, once established has the uncanny knack of surviving.  Repeated applications of Roundup will do the job, and this time of the year is the ideal time to be doing it. I'd also be inclined to make sure a barrier is placed between the bamboo and your fish pond.  Just as a precaution against the likelihood of the roots penetrating the pond liner. There is no such thing as useless - you can always be a bad example.