Pros and cons of planting bamboo in your garden

Bamboo can be both a beneficial and problematic addition to a garden, depending on how it is managed and the specific context. Let’s start with the pros and cons of having bamboo in your garden, and then discuss how to control or remove bamboo if it becomes invasive.

Pros of bamboo in the garden

Aesthetics: Bamboo can add a unique and exotic look to the garden with its tall, slender culms and lush green foliage.

Fast growth: Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants around, making it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or natural barriers in a relatively short period.

Low maintenance: Once established, bamboo generally requires little maintenance, as it’s resilient and can tolerate various growing conditions.

Eco-friendly: Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested for various uses, including bamboo construction, hammocks, crafts and even as a food source.

Erosion control: Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and stabilises embankments, making it useful in landscaping projects.

Cons of bamboo in the garden

Invasive nature: Bamboo can be highly invasive if not contained properly. Running bamboo varieties can spread rapidly through rhizomes, taking over garden beds and neighbouring areas.

Space and height: Bamboo’s rapid growth can lead to overcrowding and overshadowing other plants, which may struggle to compete with it for light and nutrients.

Spreading challenges: Controlling the spread of bamboo requires dedicated efforts, and even with containment measures, it may still find ways to escape.

Root barrier maintenance: Installing a root barrier to control bamboo spread may work, but it requires periodic maintenance to prevent rhizomes from escaping.

Wildlife habitat: While bamboo can provide habitat and food for certain wildlife, it may also deter native species that prefer a more diverse ecosystem.

How to kill or control bamboo in the garden

If bamboo becomes invasive and poses a threat to the garden or surrounding areas, it’s essential to take appropriate measures to control or eradicate it effectively. Here are some methods to consider.

Digging and removing rhizomes: Digging out the entire root system, including the rhizomes, can be an effective way to remove bamboo. However, this process can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for mature stands.

Herbicides: Specific herbicides designed for bamboo control can be used, but they must be applied with caution to avoid harming other desirable plants and wildlife. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take environmental precautions.

Repeated mowing or cutting: Regularly mowing or cutting down bamboo shoots will weaken the plant over time. However, this method requires consistency and may not completely eradicate the bamboo.

Solarisation: Covering the bamboo-infested area with a thick, light-blocking material (e.g. tarpaulin) and letting the sun heat up the soil can be effective in killing bamboo and its rhizomes.

Professional assistance: In severe cases, it may be best to seek the help of a professional landscaper or arborist experienced in dealing with bamboo invasions. You can see more about how to kill bamboo on EnvironetUK

Remember that killing or removing bamboo can be a challenging and ongoing process. Preventative measures, such as installing proper barriers when planting bamboo, can help avoid future problems with its spread. Additionally, choosing clumping bamboo varieties over running types can significantly reduce the risk of invasiveness.

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Getting rid of your artificial grass? How to turn your lawn into a spectacular natural paradise

For some home-owners, having a garden can be a fun way to spend more time outdoors and enjoy nature.

Others dislike all the hard work that goes into maintaining even the simplest of gardens, which is why they seek time-saving solutions.

One product that was popular for many years with home-owners who didn’t want to put too much effort into their garden is artificial grass.

Artificial grass is usually made from synthetic fibres used to mimic the appearance of real grass without the upkeep.

While it can be a useful way to save time and effort, artificial grass is also notoriously bad for the environment. It discourages wildlife and insects, and it creates a lot of carbon during the manufacturing process.

As such, many home-owners are now considering their options and looking to remove their artificial lawns.

It’s possible to reduce the maintenance you have to undertake in your garden by paving over it or using decking, but this can create a very uniform look that isn’t always aesthetically pleasing.

A natural lawn with real grass could be a great solution, and while it does require a little more upkeep than other options, it can be worth the effort.

If you’re thinking about getting rid of your artificial grass, keep reading to find out more about adding a natural lawn to your garden and turning it into a beautiful outdoor haven.

Plant grass seed

Once you’ve removed your artificial lawn, you’ll need to put fresh grass in its place. While you can buy living turf, planting grass seed will give you a more natural look. Before you sow your grass seed, you should spend a few days caring for the soil and putting down some natural mulch. You can then plant your grass seed, making sure to scatter it uniformly. As the grass grows, you should watch out for any bare patches and add more grass seed to ensure you create a beautiful, natural lawn.

Add a flowerbed

Planting flowers around the border of your lawn can be a great way to add a pop of colour to your garden. It can also be great for attracting pollinating insects to your garden and encouraging biodiversity. You don’t have to just add flowers to your lawn border: you could also consider some perennial shrubs and hardy, ornamental plants that don’t require much care. Providers such as Plants2Gardens offer a variety of plants, from perennials to bedding plants, shrubs to container flowers and more, so you can find whatever you need to create the perfect border for your lawn.

Mow your grass regularly

Once your grass has grown and you’ve updated your border, you need to maintain it. The main task you’ll need to undertake is to mow your grass. Real grass grows and needs to be cut at least every 2 weeks, depending on the weather. Invest in a quality lawn mower and set aside time regularly to check and cut your grass to keep your garden looking neat and luscious.

Artificial grass might seem convenient, but a natural lawn can have many benefits for the environment and for you as a home-owner. A natural lawn looks better and can give your garden character. Use these tips to make the transition from artificial turf to a real lawn as simple as possible.

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Benefits of having artificial grass

In many instances, having artificial grass is a wise decision as it offers many benefits when compared to natural turf. It allows you to enjoy a clean, durable, beautiful looking lawn all year round. You also do not have to worry about the perennial problem of hose-pipe bans. If you’re still not convinced, here are some benefits of installing artificial grass.

Eliminates puddling

Before installing natural turf, the ground needs to be prepared; time must be taken to roll and smooth out lumps & bumps. Doing so helps remove valleys and grooves that would otherwise attract stagnant water. Integral to the design of artificial grass are small irrigation channels to drain excess water away, preventing pooling in low areas.

No maintenance

One positive outcome to installing artificial turf is that it requires very little maintenance – unlike living turf. The time and energy saved by not weeding and mowing regularly can be spent on more enjoyable and relaxing gardening activities.

No ruts or bare spots

Heavy foot traffic on natural grass causes bare spots and furrows in lawned areas. Imitation grass is extremely resilient, resisting constant pressure when walked upon regularly. Artificial blades of grass bounce back time and again when trampled.

No marks or stains

Children can play on synthetic grass with ease. You don’t need to worry about them getting mud or grass stains on their shoes and clothes.

Extremely safe

Pets and children can play, sit or even sleep on artificial lawn worry-free. It’s soft to the touch and cushions if they fall. Reputed artificial grass suppliers can provide artificial turf with anti-bacterial properties. Thus, it helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and germs.

Shade’s not an issue

Shaded areas generally don’t support healthy, natural grass growth. Hence, grasses in such areas fade and die leaving the ground barren, hard and unattractive. On the other hand, simulated turf doesn’t require any direct sunlight. Even in shady areas, synthetic lawn works amazingly as it can maintain its size and colour with/without water and sunlight.

Recreational areas

There are many recreational areas such as tennis courts, bowling greens and patios where artificial turf can be installed to great effect. It’s designed to withstand heavy and regular use. In addition, it can be cut and shaped to fit unusual spaces.

No need for harsh fertilisers

Artificial plants can look beautiful throughout the seasons; it doesn’t become patchy or overgrown. Also, it doesn’t require any regular feeding or fertilising. The turf will remain toxin-free, green and lush looking for years. On the other hand, harsh fertilisers used on natural grass can smell and may cause disastrous effects on the local environment. It leads to algae overgrowth in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

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Price Points: Push lawn mowers

Although our garden extends to ⅓ of an acre, very, very little of it is given over to lawn. We’ve created a tiny grassed space to the front of the house and have allowed the micro-orchard to grow over with wild flowers.

Last year, I ‘mowed’ the grass with garden shears… a big job, even in such a small space. One of these push lawn mowers would save so much time and effort. I’ve never fancied getting an electric or petrol mower; too dirty, too noisy and, as they say, a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

I’d love the vintage Suffolk Viceroy pictured above (#2) but, like all the other ones listed on eBay, it’s buyer to collect. The closest vintage manual mower to where we live is 70 miles away.

The expensive option, the American Lawn Mower (#3), is simply too much money to spend for a tool that I’ll only use once… or maybe twice each year.

The cheapest option, in this case, is probably the most suitable in our circumstances. It’s compact, so it will take up very little room when stored in our garden shed. It has a useful net grass collector which would make the job of taking the cuttings to the compost heap a doddle.

Hand-propelled lawnmower: £41.00, B&Q
Vintage Suffolk Viceroy push along cylinder mower: £95.00 ONO, eBay
American Lawn Mower 18-Inch 5-blade reel lawn mower: £369.82 Amazon

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