Planting Bamboo in Tulsa

[SXSW]

Anyone have experience planting bamboo in their yard?  I'm going to try it because I like the way it looks and how it stays green all year.  Buying the clumps at Southwood but they don't have much of a selection, does anyone know other nurseries that sell bamboo?  I think if I get it in by this weekend it should be okay with the first freeze approaching but the soil staying warm enough over the next few weeks.

[Townsend]

Take very strong steps to prevent spread.

I believe you have to block at least 18" into the ground.

Had a neighbor experiment with bamboo years ago.  It went poorly.

Great natural fence though.

[Conan71]

You might want to ask your neighbors about it first...

[SXSW]

It should stay confined to the raised beds, at least that's what I've been told about the 'clumping' type.

[patric]

Anyone have experience planting bamboo in their yard?  I'm going to try it because I like the way it looks and how it stays green all year.  Buying the clumps at Southwood but they don't have much of a selection, does anyone know other nurseries that sell bamboo?  I think if I get it in by this weekend it should be okay with the first freeze approaching but the soil staying warm enough over the next few weeks.

Bamboo makes a great year-round vegitative barrier to block noise and neighbor's lights, but Tulsa's climate is almost too friendly and it can get away from you quickly.  Im also anxious to hear more about local experiences with this, good or bad.   
Evergreens and red-tipped Photinias have been my favorite choice of barriers, but they grow so sloooow....

[heironymouspasparagus]

You are gonna be SOOOOO Sorry!!

Unless you move within the next couple years and let the next guy worry about it.

[TURobY]

Bamboo makes a great year-round vegitative barrier to block noise and neighbor's lights, but Tulsa's climate is almost too friendly and it can get away from you quickly.  Im also anxious to hear more about local experiences with this, good or bad.   
Evergreens and red-tipped Photinias have been my favorite choice of barriers, but they grow so sloooow....

I have a detached garage that really isn't that attractive, but I put some Fraser Photinia around it, and it has grown almost from Size #1 to a full hedge in a matter of a year. Not too shabby of a growth cycle.

[waterboy]

Bamboo is like heroin for your yard. Just say no. My son has spent most of the last two years trying to keep it at bay.

[Townsend]

Maybe we should plant it around the abundant life building.

[Conan71]

Bamboo is like heroin for your yard. Just say no. My son has spent most of the last two years trying to keep it at bay.

I've been told the way you maintain bamboo is with a machette or fire and the only way to ever fully get rid of it is with a backhoe. 

[SXSW]

That is the running type.  The clumping type doesn't spread.  Or at least that's what they told me at Southwood.   

[Ed W]

A botanist at the Greenville SC zoo told me the only way to get rid of it it to get the roots out of the ground, and the best way to do that is to put some pigs in with the bamboo.  They dig it up and eat every bit of it. 

[Townsend]

A botanist at the Greenville SC zoo told me the only way to get rid of it it to get the roots out of the ground, and the best way to do that is to put some pigs in with the bamboo.  They dig it up and eat every bit of it. 

I'm sure the neighbors would be 100% thrilled with the bamboo and pigs.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Clumping is about as good as it gets, but it still travels.  Very intrusive.

[Smokinokie]

Clumping is about as good as it gets, but it still travels.  Very intrusive.

I had some at a home in Bartlesville that I recently sold. Owned the home for 7 years with very little spread but I can't for the life of me remember what variety it was!
It also never got over 5 feet tall so who knows. The next time I'm up there, I plan on harvesting some shoots to transplant to my new home.