Anyone who has a garden knows that some plants only thrive when they are properly supported. Many garden centers carry metal and wire cages to use for this purpose, but a better alternative is using bamboo canes.
<h3>Why Bamboo?</h3>
Bamboo is a green material and is also a fully renewable resource. In addition to that it looks gorgeous in the garden as an accent and is sturdy enough to hold up tomato plants with plenty of ripening fruit. Bamboo is easy to adapt to a variety of uses and situations. It can easily be sawed in order to adjust its length and it comes in many different diameters. With the proper equipment it is possible for gardeners to bend and shape bamboo into curved shapes to make a border or other decorative accent in their garden. Bamboo is also a durable resource. It can withstand winter weather for several seasons and will not need to be replaced very often. All of these features make bamboo a very environmentally friendly material.
<h3>How to Use Bamboo Canes in the Garden</h3>
Many people use bamboo canes to help stake up the stem of a plant. These plants are top heavy and they can spoil the view in the garden by flopping onto the ground. To solve this a bamboo cane can be driven into the soil next to the plant. The stem can be gently tied to the bamboo cane with a piece of cloth or a length of rope. Hemp rope is an excellent and green option for fastening the stem to the cane.

When fastening a plant to a bamboo cane it’s important not to tie the plant to the stake too tightly. The plant still needs room to grow while it is staked. Also, a plant tied too tightly to the bamboo may break off in a strong breeze. Use a light touch and top heavy plants will be healthy and look spectacular.
<h3>Bamboo Tripods &amp; Teepees</h3>
It’s even possible to fashion a tripod with bamboo canes. Doing so is very easy and quickly provides a strong support system for climbing plants. A bamboo teepee can be fashioned by driving three different bamboo stakes into the ground around the plant. Fasten the tops of all three stakes together using rope or twine. Anyone growing pole beans in their vegetable garden or clematis in their flower garden can make excellent use of this simple technique. As the plants grow they will naturally climb the canes and receive adequate support.

People who have grown tomatoes in the past know they can be a somewhat tricky topic. Wire cages are the traditional answer to helping to hold up the plants as they bear their fruit, but sometimes they are not entirely successful. For real security for tomato plants use a wire cage, but surround it with bamboo poles. Tie the poles and the wire cage together to make the sturdiest tomato plant support ever.

Gardeners who favor dinner plate dahlias have long recognized the superiority of bamboo in the garden. Even people who love hollyhocks have made use of this versatile material. When dealing with a clump of plants it is possible to create a growing grid of bamboo poles. The clump of plants can be surrounded by several bamboo stakes. Using twine, hemp rope or a similar material create a grid by tying the stakes together. Use the twine to criss-cross the plants and circle them. This will make a creative and thriving display of blooms.

Gardeners who appreciate organic practices will love the versatility and utility of bamboo in the garden. It’s another green addition to the garden that includes a compost heap, organic fish fertilizer and an absence of chemicals. Bamboo’s many uses and its natural beauty make it a sensible choice for gardeners all over the globe. Using it in the garden is also an Earth friendly practice that is easily and quickly renewable.