This post is intended to encourage you to not be afraid of bamboo in your permaculture projects. Yes, you read that right. You do not have to be afraid of bamboo. Worked with correctly, it can be very useful and attractive. Bamboo is one of those plants that either makes a person get all excited or makes them terrified for their houses, gardens, and small neighborhood children. For me, it depends on one key aspect of bamboo: whether it is clumping (sympodial) or running (monopodial). Running bamboo is the bamboo that most people think of when they hear “bamboo.” It is fast growing and tends to be quite invasive by sending out runners underneath the soil. It gives bamboo its sinister and overwhelming reputation. Running bamboo is playing with fire, especially if you live in a suburb or have a relatively small piece of land. I hesitate to recommend it unless you plan to use it as fodder for goats or livestock, in which case its fast growing nature and tendency to run rampant is desirable. Clumping bamboo is a safer and more general option, so that is what I am going to talk about for the rest of this article. Clumping Bamboo Characteristics Bamboo is an evergreen with varying heights and diameters depending on the cultivar. The most common clumping genus is Bambusa and is generally tropical. They will not grow well above Zone 8, but for us here in central Texas, they are able to withstand the heat and humidity. They are not as cold hardy as running bamboos and may die below 25-29 degrees. Some frost protection may be necessary for the roots if you live north of Dallas or have a frosty microclimate. Try Bambusa multiplex or B. textilis. There are dozens of cultivars of both species, so have fun researching what best suites your needs. I also hear good things about Fargesia dracocephala ‘Rufa’, though it might require more shade than most. Clumping bamboo does not perform like running bamboo. It forms a large clump. Rhizomes stay relatively close to the plant and move much slower than runner rhizomes. Clumpers are more easily controlled. It acts more like a shrub. An old bamboo plant can be very compact near the base if it is not periodically thinned. As the poles have so many uses, this shouldn’t pose a problem. Some varieties form a dense thicket while others are relatively naked at the base, so choose based on your needs. Density determines suitability as a shade screen, noise blocker, or hedge. Clumping bamboo still grows very quickly. The difference is in the habit. Clumpers still send out rhizomes to increase its size. They still grow bamboo shoots. However, they will not pop up thirty feet away from the parent. Shoots stay close by and are easily dealt with. Or eaten. Cultivation Tropical bamboos like full sun, but may benefit from a little shade during the heat of the day. You can plant them just about anywhere they get at least 6-8 hours of sun. If your area receives a lot of heavy frosts, then plant it where it will receive some shade. A frost combined with full sun can remove water faster from the plant and make it more sensitive to death. I do not foresee this as being a big problem for us in NC Texas, but it is something to keep in mind. Bamboo generally does not like heavy or waterlogged soils. Some cultivars are more tolerant of this than others, but too much water in most species will rot the rhizomes and kill the plant. When first planting the bamboo, mulch around it heavily to protect the roots. Space bamboo plants 3-5 ft apart if you are trying to make a hedge or screen. Plant anytime after your last frost and then anytime up to two months before your first frost. Early spring is ideal. ![]() Uses in the Permaculture Garden 1. Food or fodder. Bamboo shoots are a popular food in Asia. They are low in calories, but high in dietary fiber, B vitamins, potassium, copper, and zinc. Shoots need to be boiled twice before consumption to remove toxic compounds, but other than that are perfectly safe. As an evergreen that tends to grow continuously in warm, temperature climates, bamboo leaves and young plants may be a good fodder source for livestock in lean months. Many people have used it while young and small to graze goats. 2. Tools, Furniture, and Flooring. You can make cutting boards, utensils, screens, fishing poles, baskets, and more with bamboo. Bamboo flooring is extremely popular right now. I have a set of bamboo cutting boards I like and use every day. 3. Building. Bamboo has been used for thousands of years as a cheap source of lumber and is one of the most sustainable sources of building material. A nice stand of bamboo will supply you will plenty of poles to build arbors, trellises, bridges, and other structures for the garden. Moso bamboo is particularly known for this. 4. Fuel. Burn bamboo into charcoal or shred it up for the compost pile. I consider charcoal a crucial element to homestead medicine, as it is an antibacterial coagulant that is wonderful for deep or infected wounds. I healed my mother’s puncture wound with charcoal after it had already become hot, red, and swollen. Making charcoal from bamboo is a more sustainable option than burning hardwoods. 5. Fiber. As a handspinner, knitter, and natural fiber enthusiast, I have noticed that bamboo is becoming increasingly popular as a textile. It is cooling, light, and airy. Because it does not have much spring, it is often mixed with wool or silk in yarn. Bamboo fabric feels much like linen and acts much the same way. The non-chemical way to process bamboo into thread is much the same way as with linen and is often called bamboo linen. If making your own clothes is an important part of sustainability to you, but you can’t raise or object to fiber animals, than bamboo may be a good source for you. 6. Land improvement. Bamboo has a thick, fibrous root system that can stabilize slopes, prevent erosion, and provide shelter for wildlife. Clumping bamboo especially is an excellent option for hedges, privacy screens, and sound dampening. Some have also used bamboo to remediate soils. They can be used as windbreaks, but use them in conjunction with deeper rooted plants such as trees. Bamboo has a shallow root system, tends to be top heavy, and can be blown over if it is the sole plant receiving very heavy winds. 7. Plant nursery. This may be an unconventional usage for bamboo, but a stand can act as a nice nursery for young plants. Its dappled shade and relatively open base make it a good candidate to place young trees that may still be sensitive to the sun. It also protects from harsh weather. Consider placing a stand or two next to your greenhouse to shield your young fruit trees or seedlings that need hardening off. I hope you are no longer afraid of clumping bamboo. It really is a useful plant for the permie, as it is definitely multi-functional. It may not be native, but the jujube is not a native either and I included it with honors in the “Overview of Texas Fruit Trees.” Sometimes a plant is just too good to pass up. Clumping bamboo is one of those plants. I encourage you to try it out if you can use it. Comments are closed.
|
Rebecca Burrow
I am a Christian permie designer trying to spread the word about Christian land stewardship through permaculture. I like goats a lot. Maaaaaaaah. Archives
September 2016
Categories
|
Burrow Permaculture Consulting | Permie Blog |