Bamboo: Getting Ready for the Winter Season

We are all familiar with the beautiful yet brutal winter season that New Jersey endures. As early as an unexpected October dust to the unwanted late March blizzard, sometimes it feels as though the snow never goes away. Besides disruptions in our life and schedules, this northeast symptom can cause havoc on our landscapes, large and small.

When it comes to dealing with the constant growth of bamboo on your property, this can be an added headache to dealing with getting your yards and gardens back to beauty for your summer barbecues. The growth effects of bamboo in the winter can be the difference of mild spring and summer prep of planting flowers to a major renovation to your property. Being aware of what to do and how with the bamboo on your property can ensure years of simpler season changes on your property.

The Resilience of Bamboo

Even in rough weather, the strength and longevity of bamboo can outlast much of New Jersey’s tough and diverse weather. The roots of bamboo on your property can spread extremely fast, negatively affecting your natural and manicured lawns and gardens even in the cold. Invasive bamboo species not only grow upward, but also outward, taking over several feet of new territory each year, throughout the seasons. The resilience of bamboo in the winter can quickly affect your landscape above and underground so that when your snow melts, you may find more unwanted cleanup than you thought. This will not only be time consuming, but even more costly in just one season. Being prepared for the winter season is the best way to ensure bamboo does not severely damage your property for those long winter months. Taking care of bamboo before it becomes of problem will give you peace of mind and better chances of getting your land back to stunning for the spring and summer months of outdoor entertaining.

Preparing for that Winter Weather

Before the cold, snow and ice plague your property, its recommended to excavate and remove all of the upsetting bamboo. This requires the removal of the entire root/rhizome system before further damage from bamboo in the winter. Keep in mind that for mature stands a lot of soil can be affected. The first thing to consider for preparing for winter is…

1) Assessing the situation – While you may only see a few Stalks in your yard this winter, that will have quickly changed by spring. Bamboo is a fast growing monster, spreading rapidly underground in thick rhizomes with some species growing up to four feet a day. In order to eradicate it completely, you will have to remove not only the stalks but also the underground root system. It is important to know where these systems are located so note how many stalks your currently have in your yard and the location of the stalks. If you have previously had a bamboo problem note down where the bamboo grew before.

2) Contain the area – Constructing a barrier will be key in preventing the rapid spread as you take measures to properly destroy the current plants. Barriers can be made of metal, plastic or concrete. This barrier must be placed minimally at a deep of 2-3 feet and angled away from the current grove.

3) Removal- Cut the bamboo down to soil level and sever any underground rhizomes attached to the stalk. Remove the stalk and carefully dispose of it, improper disposal can lead to further plant growth in a new area. Begin digging the underground rhizomes up and out of your yard and repeat the disposal process. It can take years and vigorous effort to remove bamboo from your yard but through constant vigilance or professional help you can eradicate it.

4) Maintenance – Staying on top of the problem is the most important step to remember in this process. Note any new growths and repeat the removal at-least twice a year to help prevent the spread. Always do your homework before planting new plant species and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
With this planning and proper executing, removing and maintenance of your bamboo problems will allow you to enjoy your property during season changes and free up your time for the more important things in life!