GRASS GARDEN BLOG: Garden Plants Uses

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IN THE NEWS: Why is Bamboo Tree Treatment Necessary?

The bamboo tree gives a lovely, strong material that can be used for anything from furniture to buildings. However, it is vulnerable to insects and fungi.

Bamboo tree treatment helps protect a lovely, strong material used for anything from furniture to buildings. However, as with any natural product, it is vulnerable to insects and fungi. Bamboo products will only survive a few years. If not treated correctly, they will be infested and destroyed.

Why is Bamboo Tree Treatment Necessary?

Curing and drying bamboo poles is essential to prevent them from splitting or decaying. There are several methods to do this, but the most important thing is to ensure that the bamboo is completely dry before you store it or use it for construction.

Green bamboo may be beautiful but it isn’t the best building material. Fresh bamboo is more appealing to pests and insects and more susceptible to mold and fungus. Furthermore, as the timber dries, it can reduce by 10-15% in diameter and get more rigid. Once this process is finished, bamboo can be used safely.

Methods for Chemical Bamboo Tree Treatment

Chemical preservation is essential for the long-term survival of bamboo trees. There are various types of chemical preservatives, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The type of preservative used will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the project.

Bamboo tree preservatives are classified into two types based on their carrier solvents: non-fixing and fixing-type preservatives. When subjected to rain, non-fixing preservatives would remove the bamboo tree. In other words, non-fixing preservatives should not be used outside.

Non-Fixing Type Bamboo Tree Preservatives

Boron-based bamboo preservatives are an efficient safeguard against borers, termites, and fungi in non-fixing bamboo preservatives. When used correctly, these preservatives create a barrier that keeps pests and rots from penetrating the bamboo surface, thereby extending the life of bamboo products.

How to Prepare Borax-Boric Acid Solution

Bamboo tree treatment with a borax-boric acid solution is the most prevalent bamboo preservative globally, as it is more effective and environmentally sustainable than other preservatives.

Mixing boric acid and borax in a 1:1.5 ratio yields a disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na2B8O13 x 4H2O), an alkaline salt. It is usable in the pre-mixed powdered form under the brand names: SoluBor or Tim-Bor, among many others.

The compound disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is an odourless while-coloured powder with relatively low oral and skin poisoning. It is a fire suppressant and does not decompose dangerously.

This boron-based salt is beneficial against algae and fungi and serves as a fungicide and insecticide. It has an endless lifespan and is temperature insensitive. Bamboo can be infused, immersed, or splashed with this chemical once it has been diluted by water.

Generally, two formulas are used: the boric acid/borax in a 1:1.5 ratio and the boric acid/borax/sodium dichromate in a 2:2:0.5 ratio, equivalent to 4-5% concentration, and is preferred for indoor applications.

To increase the concentration to 9%, double the combination: a solution of 4 kg boric acid, 4 kg borax, and 1 kg sodium dichromate in 100 litres of water.

Fixing-Type Bamboo Tree Preservatives

There are various chemical preservation treatments for bamboo, each with advantages. One formulation, for example, may be more impactful against decay fungi, while another may be more effective against insects and other pests.

The fixation process is essential to any successful bamboo preservation treatment. This is the stage at which the various chemicals in the treatment interact with one another and become chemically fixed. The nature of the components, as well as their combination and concentration, will determine the level of fixation and effectiveness.

For example, chromium is fully accountable for fixation, copper is efficient against fungi decomposition and delicate rot, and the third chemical substance is anti-insect and fungus. The fixation process takes several weeks, during which the substance should be kept under the shield. Slow fixation is favoured for bamboo as it enables diffusion and a better selection of salts.

Copper Chrome Boron (CCB)

Copper Chrome Boron is a chemical bamboo treatment, a viable substitute for Copper Chrome Arsenic. Still, it is less efficient and has a lesser level of fixation due to the boron constituent.

Use the mixture of boric acid/copper sulfate/sodium dichromate in a 1.5:3:4 proportion. For indoors, the advised concentration is 6-8%, while for outdoors, it is 8-10%.

Copper Chrome Arsenic (CCA)

Copper Chrome Arsenic is a wider-range chemical bamboo treatment trademarked as AsCu. It safeguards for at least 50 years. Outdoor use is only advised for the arsenic component, which changes the bamboo colour to green.

Use the arsenic pentoxide/copper sulfate/sodium dichromate in a 1:3:4 proportion. For outdoors, the advised concentration is 6% (non-contact with the ground) and 10% (in contact with the ground).

Bamboo Tree Variants for Building Projects

Bamboo is an excellent material for building purposes. It is strong and long-lasting yet lightweight and flexible to work with. It is also eco-friendly, as it is a renewable resource that can quickly replenish.

There are many bamboo trees, and not all are suitable as building materials. Some varieties of bamboo are too weak or brittle, while others are too difficult to work with. However, a few superior varieties of bamboo are perfect for construction projects.

Phyllostachys edulis, also known as Moso bamboo, is a popular building material in China. Moso is a mild climate, running species that can develop in the United States but will not grow as large as it would in its natural environment. Warmer climates cause it to keep growing.

Guadua is a species of clumping, gigantic bamboo native to Central and South America. If you’re working on a large project and are willing to import a few bamboo from abroad, Guadua Angustifolia stands as an excellent option.

Chusquea is another species of clumping neotropical bamboo. It’s particularly fascinating for construction since most species have solid (or nearly solid) culms instead of hollow ones, so cracking isn’t a problem. Chusquea Gigantea is the most beneficial species.

Other Uses of Bamboo Trees

The bamboo tree is a versatile tree with a wide range of uses. It can be used for everything from construction to crafts, and it has a long history of being used by humans.

Apart from its uses for building houses, fences, and other structures, bamboo is very flexible, making it perfect for crafting. It can be made into baskets, mats, bowls, and other household items. Bamboo crafts are popular around the world.

Bamboo is also used as a fuel, for paper production, for medicines, and to improve soil structure.

*SOURCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & LINK BACK: This work is by Brendan McMahon, and appears on BORATES TODAY

Sensory Garden Plants, Flowers, Style and Planting Ideas

Growing your own plants can be a very rewarding experience. It can also be challenging and time-consuming. But with the right amount of time, effort and knowledge, you can grow an amazing sensory garden in your backyard.

Sensory Garden Plants - Style and Planting Ideas

Creating a sensory garden allows your child to experiment with different textures, such as soil, rocks, water, mud, seeds, new sprouts, leaves, roots, and even weeds.

It also teaches children perseverance and patience.

There are different plants that evoke each of the five senses.

In this video, you'll see the different design styles, plants and planting ideas that you need to create a stunning sensory garden for your children.

What is a sensory garden?

A sensory garden is an outdoor space that includes plants with textures, colours, shapes and smells that stimulate all of the senses.

It is a garden for all children but even more so for those with autism spectrum disorder, learning challenges, and behaviour difficulties.

This garden gives children the opportunity to explore the world and learn about plants. They can enjoy it without any distractions, just them and their senses.

How to make tomato plants produce more fruit?

Want to know the best way to make tomato plants produce more fruit? There is no hidden secret but to encourage the plant to produce more flowers - the more flowers, the more tomato fruit.

This video shows how we build a bamboo frame for the tomato plants and encourage more flowers.

How to make tomato plants produce more fruit?

Many factors affect the growth and fruiting of tomato plants. The common factors include soil, temperature, water and weather.

Come factor we can control, others are natural and we are dependent on them to give us good harvests.

As far as the much-loved tomato plants are concerned, growers need to provide the best condition for the to give more fruit. And, leave the rest to nature to do its bit.

Get the Tomato Grow Bags from the UK suppliers

Prune tomato plants for more fruit

You can prune tomato plants to produce more fruit.

Remove the early leaves to channel the energy into the main plant to produce more flowers and more fruit.

Also, remove the tips so that the tomato plant does not grow too tall, or too short.

Yet, for tomato plants to produce more fruit they must have lots of flowers. And the flowers must be successfully pollinated, either manually or by bees.

How tall can you let tomato plants grow?

But, how can you get the balance between pruning and the height of the tomato plant so that they produce lots of fruit in summer?

It is important to gardeners that more flowers means more fruit.

Tomato plants flower at different stages. That means that they fruit at different stages, too.

So, if you want more fruit, you'll have to let the tomato flower at 3 or 4 different stages which means that you'll have tall plants that need support.

Build a strong bamboo frame using bamboo sticks to support the tall tomato plants. [SEE VIDEOS]

So, grow your tomato plants early in summer in nutrient-rich soil, grow bags and pots.

Encourage more flowers by not snipping the tips off early. Get the balance between prunning, watering and staking right.

That way, your tomato plants will produce more fruit.

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

How to prepare bamboo canes to use in the garden?

Gardeners and homeowners who have a bamboo grove know that bamboo canes are useful. Always handy to have them in the shed when you need them.

Bamboo canes bought from the DIY shops or online markets places come ready prepared. You can use them straight away.

8ft tall bamboo sticks for plants UK WILCO

Preparing bamboo canes for use in the garden

Buy bamboo canes for pot and garden plants

Here are some possible places to get bamboo canes for plants online or in shops.

B&Q
Cherry Lane

Here are some great places where you can get potted bamboo plants.

How to prep bamboo canes for use in the garden?

When pruning or thinning bamboo plants, it is important to cut the canes close to the ground. This will give the new shoots an opportunity to grow well.

Also, you'll get tall bamboo canes that have tough 'bottoms' and can last longer in the soil.

When prepping bamboo canes, always remove the branches and leaves neatly, do not work against the grain.

Trim the branches using a pair of secateurs or sharp knives. In addition, use a garden rope to tie the bamboo canes (see image) into a bundle.

That way, it's nice and neat as well as light and easy to store and move around when you need them.

5 preps tips for long-lasting bamboo canes

Work out how high you want the plant to grow.
Use a pair of secateurs to cut bamboo canes (cut close to the nodes, careful not to split the bamboos).
Use a digging tool to make holes deep into the pot and push the bamboo canes into the holes.
Compact the soil around the bamboo canes.
Use garden ropes to tie the potted plants to the bamboo canes.
*If you are building a wigwam-climbing frame for the crawling plants like the trellis, follow steps 1 – 4 and use smaller bamboo canes to tie them together)

Cut bamboo canes close to the nodes

Although bamboo canes have a high resistance to rotting, the exposed ends can disintegrate quickly.

The part of bamboo cane inside the soil will rot when it is exposed to water and moisture.

However, when cut close to the nodes, it acts as a barrier and can slow down the bamboo cane from rotting quickly.

Avoid splitting bamboo canes

Use a sharp pair of secateurs and do a clean-cut at the bottom of the bamboo canes.

Avoid splitting the bamboo during cutting.

Your bamboo canes will last longer, and you'll be able to re-use them for many years if they stay whole.

Be careful not to split the bamboo canes because the splinters are sharp and can cause nasty cuts to exposed skins, too.

All in all, cut the bamboo close to the ground (during pruning) and close to the node before using it to support your plants in the pots.

Bamboo canes great for vines and new plants

The bamboo canes are tall, slender, rounded, tough and strong. They are the perfect support for new plants, vines, beans and garden and pot plants that need stem support.

The bamboo canes will last for many years. You can use and re-use the canes, they are tough, firm and strong. They are also flexible, you can bend them to your liking and create amazing shapes and designs.

In fact, bamboo canes will form a formidable support system if you use ropes to tie the plants to the canes or group them together into wigwam climber frames.

This has been seen in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries where bamboo canes are used to create stunning garden features.

In the UK, many creative gardeners and homeowners are using bamboo canes to build different support systems for their garden and pot plants.

In addition to their uses in pots and gardens, the canes are great for making frames for climbing plants such as the trellis, beans, grapes and many other vegetative vines.

Uses of bamboo sticks with pictures

Bamboo is an eco-friendly material, you can use it to make a variety of home and garden DIY bamboo projects.

What are the things you can make out of bamboo?

In this article, we take a look at 5 things you can make from bamboo sticks by using simple hand tools. Use the pictures and video for clarity.

Bamboo sticks for plants

Bamboo sticks in use in pots and patio

Many gardeners and homeowners are using bamboo sticks as stakes because they are tall, strong and blend incredibly well with other plants in the garden.

There are many fantastic uses of the sticks. One that stands out is staking indoor and outdoor plants.

The bamboo sticks provide a strong support system for small shrubs, tomatoes, beans, soft fruit and vines.

You can cut the sticks to length and tie plants along them to provide the support they need to grow.

Take a look at this article - Uses of Bamboo Sticks DIY projects.

Bamboo uses

The garden bamboo plants are popular in the UK recently due to their evergreen foliage and hardiness, less prone to disease.

Bamboos are a tough group of plants.

They are used extensively in the Asia and South Pacific regions for many purposes, from cooking food to building materials and arts and crafts.

The uses are limitless! The bamboos are durable, tough and tolerant to bug infestations.

They are also flexible materials that you can cut, shape and bend to your liking.

These characteristics are fantastic for DIY arts and craft projects.

So, use bamboo to create stunning objects for use at home or in the garden.

Video of uses of bamboo sticks

Watch this video to see how we use bamboo sticks in the garden. The bamboo sticks are from our bamboo grove.

Each link takes you to the page with detailed intructions and pictures to help you build you own or give you an idea about how to make yours.

Start Garden Plants from Seed in Bamboo Propagator

Do you have thick bamboo canes? You can build a nice Bamboo Seed Propagator and grow your plants from seed in it.

Here is a quick guide to building one.

Start Garden Plants from Seed in Bamboo Propagator

Make seed propagator with lids

Seeds tend to germinate well in conditions where the soil is moist and nutrient-rich and the soil temperature is above 10 degrees Celcius.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has a detailed guide for sowing seeds here, RHS Germination Guide, PDF.

The lids act as a greenhouse to maintain the temperature and humidity in the bamboo seed pots and trays. This encourages the seed to germinate.

You can take the lids off when the germinating seeds reach a certain height and transplant them.

Always put the lid back so that any seeds that remain will have to chance to grow.

DIY bamboo projects - hanging wall planters

Start Garden Plants from Seed in Bamboo Propagator

Wall planters are ideal for putting colours to a dull wall.

Many of the metal wall planters are great but are also expensive.

If you want to try a DIY wall hanging plant, making hanging wall planters an ideal option.

There are two types of hanging wall planters that you can make:

Vertical wall planters and
Horizontal wall planters.

Take a look at the materials and steps for making the bamboo hanging wall planters

Bamboo art and craft ideas

The video shows how we used bamboo sticks to make a mini raft - see how it goes down the river.

10 Bamboo DIY projects with pictures and videos

Each link takes you to the page with detailed intructions and pictures to help you build you own or give you an idea about how to make yours.

5 bamboo art and craft ideas - storage boxes

Bamboo canes are not only strong material, some have hollow chambers that you can cut out to make simple storage.

Other bamboo plants also have a thick interior which can be carved out to produce cups, storage boxes, and tubes and do 'arty and crafty' things.

DIY bamboo storage box, tube and cup

DIY Bamboo storage box, tube and mug

Bamboos are extremely hollow in the middle, slim and long.

They are best for storing pencils and pens, toothbrushes and slim many other similar everyday items.

The cup-like tubes are also best for storing secret documents, paintings and important documents.

Storage boxes you can make out of bamboo

Pencil storage box
Water cups or mugs
Toothbrush and toothpaste storage.
Secret storage box or tube.

Take a look at how to make 5 bamboo storage ideas for the household items that you should know.

They are incredibly easy to make!

Bamboo garden uses

Bamboo has been used in many gardening hacks, too. Here is a video of how we use bamboo as one of the materials for this box.

10 Bamboo DIY projects with pictures and videos

Each link takes you to the page with detailed intructions and pictures to help you build you own or give you an idea about how to make yours.

How to use bamboo steamer basket?

The bamboo steamer basket is an ideal cookware for making fat-free food like dumplings and bao buns among many others.

This method of cooking uses the heat from the steam to cook food, but what do you need and how can you use a bamboo steamer basket?

The steamer is traditional Chinese cookware that is becoming popular as many people appreciate the freshness of steamed foods.

Find out how to use and clean bamboo steamer baskets

How to use a bamboo steamer basket

how to use a bamboo steamer basket

We've identified 5-star collections of bamboo steamer baskets sets on Amazon.

Things you need:

Wok
Bamboo steamer basket.
Water.
Heat.

How to use a bamboo steamer in 5 simplified steps

1. Line the trays

A bamboo steamer basket can have several layers depending on the types of food you want to cook. Use liners that allow steam to sieve through the bamboo trays.

The ideal vegetable liners are cabbage and lattice leaves. You can also use porous cheesecloth or parchment paper. There is no need to use a liner if you place food on a plate.

However, make sure there is sufficient free space, and the steamer’s lid is firmly shut, for the steam to permeate through the tray to cook the food.

2. Place food in the steamer

Most foods will expand while cooking in the steamer.

Place them apart so that there are spaces in between them– do not pack them close together.

3. Add water into the wok

Add the right amount of water so that it does not reach the food when boiling, and it is not too low that the rim of the steamer gets burnt.

The best way to get this balance right is to pre-heat water in the wok. As the water simmers, estimate the water level and how far it's likely to reach up the steamer and around its lower rim.

A wok with a wide rim is best because it gives you good visibility of the water level when food is cooking in the steamer.

4. Place the bamboo steamer in the wok

Depending on how many bamboo trays you are using, place quick-cooking foods at the top, slow-cooking foods at the bottom, and others in between.

For instance, some vegetables cook quicker than dumplings and buns. So, place the vegetables at the top and dumplings at the bottom.

If you are using only one bamboo tray, there is no need to worry about layering. You can place the bamboo steamer straight on the simmering water.

5. Steam the food and monitor the water level

So, how long should you leave food steaming in your bamboo steamer?

It depends on what you are cooking and how many bamboo steaming trays you are using. Follow the tip in step 4, remove the food in the top tray when it’s cooked until all the others are also cooked.

Check the water at intervals.

You may have to add more water to the wok. One top tip is NOT to add cold water as this disturbs the consistency at which food is cooking.

Ideally, you want to ensure that the water is simmering all the time so that food is cooked consistently.

Only add boiling water if (or when) the water gets too low on the wok.

To remove food from the bamboo steamer tray, use a pair of tongs, scoops, or spoons. Be careful because the food will be steaming hot!

Check out Amazon for bamboo steamer baskets sets.

Why water level is important?

As mentioned in steps 3 and 5, monitor the water level from time to time, and ensure that the water reaches the lower rim of the bamboo steamer basket to prevent it from burning.

The water level must be just right so that the rising boiling water does not reach the food.

A wok is the best utensil to use with a bamboo steamer. It is thin and wide because water simmers and boils fast in a thin wok, and its wide rim can hold bamboo trays of different sizes.

In addition, the wide base provides good visibility for monitoring the amount of water. The best alternatives for a wok are thin pans and pots with wide bases.

Buying a bamboo steamer basket

We've identified 5-star collections of bamboo steamer baskets sets on Amazon

When shopping for a bamboo steamer, the two main things to look for are the sizes of the wok and the raw materials used.

A wider steamer will cook a lot of food, alternatively, you can buy several small steamers to cook the same amount of food, either way, steamer sizes do not really matter.

What matters the most is the size of the wok because it will determine the size of the baskets to use. So, choose the wok carefully.

Tradition demands that for food to taste great, the steamer has to be predominantly made of bamboo.

However, some modern steamers have stainless steel added to them. In this case, it depends on your preference and how you are going to use, wash and clean, and store the cookware.

Pros and cons of Bamboo Steamer baskets

Food tastes fresh when cooked in bamboo steamer baskets.

In fact, there are some unique features of Chinese cookware that set it apart. The 5 main advantages are given below. Bamboo steamer baskets are/have:

stackable.
lightweight.
sustainable.
visually appealing.
different cooking times.

There are two main disadvantages of bamboo steamer baskets. They absorb food odours and are often hard to clean after use. The former happens especially after steaming seafood or vegetables like broccoli or brussels sprouts.

It can also be a concern if you are using flavoured stocks to steam foods. Also, the bamboo steamer baskets are often hard to clean.

As you can imagine, the woven strips and sides can be difficult to get to and give it a really good clean.

There are several suggestions about using lemon juice, vinegar and or warm soapy water to wash the smell off.

But food odour is not an issue if you are selective about what food to cook in the steamer. If you want to avoid it, steam the food that is less likely to leave an odour behind.

How to clean a bamboo steamer basket

Cleaning bamboo steamer baskets is a delicate task. Here is the best way to clean the steamer baskets and washing liquids you can use.

how to use a bamboo steamer basket

How to clean a bamboo steamer basket

Do’s

Wash with a sponge and dishwashing soap.
Immediately rinse.
Dry thoroughly.
Air dry before storing.

Don’ts

Soak it in water.
Store when wet.
Wash in the dishwasher.

Find out the best way to use bamboo steamer baskets.

Cleaning bamboo baskets is a delicate task, time is of the essence. Let the steamer cool down but do not leave it to dry out.

While the steamer is still moist, give it a good rinse and dry it immediately. Warm soapy water is best for washing the baskets.

You can also use lemon juice, vinegar or a combination of vinegar and soda.

Make sure the steamer is completely dry before storing it in the cupboard to prevent mould from growing on the bamboo.

Check out our wide collection of bamboo products on GBP.

Buying a bamboo steamer basket

We've identified 5-star collections of bamboo steamer baskets sets on Amazon

When shopping for a bamboo steamer, the two main things to look for are the sizes of the wok and the raw materials used.

A wider steamer will cook a lot of food, alternatively, you can buy several small steamers to cook the same amount of food, either way, steamer sizes do not really matter.

What matters the most is the size of the wok because it will determine the size of the baskets to use. So, choose the wok carefully.

Tradition demands that for food to taste great, the steamer has to be predominantly made of bamboo.

However, some modern steamers have stainless steel added to them. In this case, it depends on your preference and how you are going to use, wash and clean, and store the cookware.

Pros and cons of Bamboo Steamer baskets

Food tastes fresh when cooked in bamboo steamer baskets. In fact, there are some unique features of Chinese cookware that set it apart. The 5 main advantages are given below. Bamboo steamer baskets are/have:

stackable.
lightweight.
sustainable.
visually appealing.
different cooking times.

It can also be a concern if you are using flavoured stocks to steam foods. Also, the bamboo steamer baskets are often hard to clean.

As you can imagine, the woven strips and sides can be difficult to get to and give it a really good clean.

There are several suggestions about using lemon juice, vinegar and or warm soapy water to wash the smell off.

But food odour is not an issue if you are selective about what food to cook in the steamer. If you want to avoid it, steam the food that is less likely to leave an odour behind.

How to build a deer, bird and insect netting for garden

You can use bamboo sticks to make garden hoops for netting. If the squirrels and pigeons get the garden berries before you, you might want to build a protective netting around the berries.

The bamboo garden hoops are perfect for protecting the berries in the garden.

Hope it gives you some ideas about how to build a simple, but practical, garden netting to stop deer, bird and insect netting from getting to you plants.

How to build a deer, bird and insect netting for garden

You will need x3 long bamboo sticks to go from one end of the netting to the other. This will set the length and width of the garden netting, so choose them carefully.

Alternatively, you can tie the bamboo together to give you a longer length. Then, bend the bamboo stick into an arch shape, forming the bamboo garden hoops or loopers.

These will now be the hoops for the garden netting.

You can put the bamboo hoops straight into the soil or build an elevated top cover, and throw the net over it, like in this YouTube video.

Check out the fruit cage for sale.

This video shows how to build netting cheaply by using the materials listed in this article. All done in one day.

After completing the hoops for the garden netting, spread the net over the top and use ropes to tie them in.

No need to use nails or cable ties, garden ropes will do.

The idea is simple, but it works every time. Here are some practical garden uses of bamboo sticks.

Bamboo best natural garden hoops

The bamboo sticks are fantastic materials for making garden hoops for netting, incredibly flexible. They can fit into the spaces making it easy to create formidable nettings for small gardens.

They are also best for arch-shaped netting.

You can use them to make almost anything from building netting like this to using them as support for runner beans, sweet peas or any garden plant.

Hope this article and the video guide give you an idea about how you can use bamboo to build garden hoops for your netting project, too.

Here are the uses of bamboo sticks in the garden including DIY projects.

How to make garden bamboo hoops for netting?

The freshly cut bamboo sticks from the bamboo grove are easy to bend to shape. In fact, they are so flexible that you can make a nice arch shape and use them as hoops for netting.

If you are using large bamboo stems, apply gentle heat to the stem and see the magic, the bamboo will bend easily.

Also, bamboo culms/stems will bend nicely from the bamboo grove. So, train them early on into a hoop while they are still young. For example, this big bamboo arch/hoop was trained into a hoop formed in the bamboo grove. Perfect for use in arching projects like this tomato frame.

What bamboo plants are best for garden hoops?

There are many bamboo plants that produce long and narrow culms. The best bamboo plants for garden sticks are the Phyllostachys aurea and Phyllostachys bissettii.

These two bamboos grow well in the UK, their culms are slender, tall and very strong. They produce better, bendable, bamboo sticks which make great garden hoops for netting.

Other tall bamboos like the Phyllostachys vivax are also good, but they have large stems/culms, which are often hard to bend to shape.

Materials for bamboo garden netting

In this project, the main material is bamboo, others include old rubber hose and mesh wire. It is a simple idea, but it works out perfectly every time.

Firstly, use bamboo sticks/hoops to build the mainframe. Then, put the netting over it.

Materials:

Garden net
Mesh wire
Garden rope
Bamboo sticks
Point Crowbar
Old water hose

Note: Freshly cut bamboo sticks are best for making garden hoops for netting because they will bend easily without breaking.

You can substitute the materials for others you have in the garden, but the substitute for bamboo sticks can be hard to find.

List of materials, tools and garden essentials

Here is a list of tools, materials and garden essentials and where to buy them.

Materials/tools (Buy at B&Q)

Garden net
Garden hoops
Bamboo sticks
Chisel & Point Crowbar

Fruits and seeds (Buy at YouGarden)

Strawberries
Raspberries and Blackberries
Black current and Gooseberries

Gardening essentials (Buy at YouGarden)

Composts
Fertilizers
Slug pallets
Pots and planters
Gloves

Potted bamboo plants (Buy at Crocus UK)

Phyllostachys aurea
Phyllostachys bissetti

How to build a deer, bird and insect netting for garden

Hope it gives you some ideas about how to build a simple, but practical, garden netting to stop the deer, bird and insect netting from getting to you plants.

How to make large wooden planter box

In this article, you'll find out how to re-use pallet timbers and build large planter boxes for the garden, patio or any outside space.

The idea is simple, yet it works every time. You’ll need pallet timbers to make a garden planter box like the one in the video.

Steps for making Large Planter Box

There are many ways to build large planter boxes. In some garden DIY projects, you may use the whole pallet, whereas others require removing the nails prior to using the timbers.

The best tool for removing nails from pallets without spoiling the timbers is a claw bar. (See the list of tools and material you'll need for this project at the end of this article.)

1. Collect the materials you’ll need for the project.
2. Set the dimensions (L, W & D).
3. Cut the corner posts and timbers to length.
4. Dig x4 holes big enough for two posts on each corner.
5. Build the 4 corners. Put two treated posts at the right angle to each other at each corner. Nail them together.

6. Build the sides of the planter box. Use a hammer to nail the pallet timbers to the corner posts. You can use 2, 3 or 4 pallet timbers – this will set the depth (D) of the planter box.
7. Fill the large planter box with garden soil or compost. That’s it!

Your brand-new large planter box for the garden is ready.

Best technique for DIY Garden Planter Boxes

This is a little-known secret used in many planter boxes and DIY projects. It is called the ‘right-angled’ boxed technique.

The idea is about putting two timbers at a right-angle (90 degrees) to each other, where you can build the sidewalls of the box as shown in the image.

It is an effective technique for building strong boxes, raised beds, fences or any garden projects with corners.

how to build a wooden planter box for garden

Each corner with x2 posts at a right angle (90 degrees)

Make large planter boxes using a DIY technique

Using the right-angle technique is ideal for large planter boxes and raised beds. It makes the sides strong and stable. You can use the garden boxes for a long time.

We use the technique to build these two garden boxes.

In fact, we have been using the garden planter box on the right for over 6 years. And this year, we re-use the same pallet timbers to make the new planter box shown in the images above.

That's how long planter boxes like these last in the garden.

how to make large planter wooden box for outside

Small Planter Pox, elevated (L) and Raised Garden Box (R)

To make the Small Planter Box for the patio, you’ll need pallet timbers, nails and a hammer.

Firstly, build 4 stands for each corner. (Use 8 pallet timbers to make the stand for the corners by applying the right-angle technique mentioned earlier)
After that, hammer in the side timber, starting from the top. (Nail in 2, 3 or 4 pallet timbers on each side, leaving 5 – 10 cm space at the bottom.)
Then, complete the other sides.
Fill the Small Planter Box for the patio with soil.

That’s it! Your new garden planter box for the patio is ready for planting.

Make Raised Garden Box for outside

You can use the same idea to build the raised garden box, which is much simpler than the elevated patio box because its bottom simply rests on the ground. And, requires less work.

You only have to build the x4 corners (using the right-angle technique) and the sides.

Working with wooden pallet timbers is challenging. It is difficult to remove the timbers from the jawed nails.

A wrecking claw bar with a chisel is a perfect hand tool for removing nails without destroying the timbers.

Simple garden DIY ideas that work

In many cases, you do not have to spend money to build new garden boxes and raised beds. You can re-use what you have to create something that you want.

Learning to use gardening techniques like these can help you build strong planter boxes and raised garden beds. They can be adapted to other wooden garden projects too.

We shared two skills that DIY gardeners will find useful: the Right-angled technique and bamboo pegging. We’ve used it in many projects. They are simple ideas but work every time.

Get more ideas about the Home and Garden DIY projects via the links.

Materials for garden box

x12 pallet timbers or old weatherboards
x8 treated posts (or 4-inch by 2-inch timbers)
a packet of nails

Tools required

handsaw
hammer
shovel
road pin/crowbar
claw bar

Uses of Green Cordyline australis, red star and varigated Cornish Cabbage Palm

Cordyline australis is an exotic plant, also known as ‘Torbay or Cornish Cabbage Palm’. This upright plant has dark green sword-like leaves and clusters of white scented flowers, bees’ magnet.

The dry brown leaves have a special use that many gardeners will love to know. This article shows you how to prepare and use the leaves as an alternative to artificial garden ropes.

Cordyline australis (Cornish Cabbage Plant) leaves are lovely garden ropes.

Uses of Cordyline australis leaves

Buy Cordyline australis ‘Cornish Cabbage’ plants at Crocus

This plant has long slender leaves. They are thin, flexible and strong.

Plants with leaves like these are used successfully in traditional and survival settings for tying objects together.

If you have a Cordyline australis plant in the garden, you can use the leaf as an alternative to garden rope.

Check out the 5 garden projects where the Cordyline australis leaves were used successfully as ropes.

1. Tie garden and pot plants

2. Tie bamboo garden trellis panels.

3. Make DIY Garden Planter Box without Nails

4. Make bamboo hoops and garden netting (image)

Use Cordyline australis ropes in the making of bamboo hoops and garden netting

How to prepare Cordyline australis leaves for garden rope

The long narrow leaves of Cordyline australis are perfect natural garden ropes. As shown in the garden projects, you can also use them to tie garden plants, flowers, new shoots and any garden plant that needs tying. Here is how to prepare the dry leaves to use as garden ropes.

Collect the dry brown leaves.
Soak them in water overnight.
Strip each leaf into smaller (preferable) strands.
Use the strands to tie plants.

To tie large objects, use a whole leaf or two. You can join the leaves together if you need a longer length. An example is this DIY Garden Planter Box, instead of nails we used only Cordyline australis leaves to build it.

Many people in the Pacific and Southeast Asia use the leaves from the palm trees, coconut and yacca plants and Cordyline fruticosa as ropes for tying plants.

They also use the long green leaves for arts and crafts. However, the dry leaves are best for tying plants, flowers and shoots.

About Cordyline australis plant

Cordyline australis is evergreen and hardy shrub, commonly known as ‘Torbay or Cornish Cabbage Palm’. The Cornish Cabbage plant has long leaves and palm-like stems.

It produces a bunch of numerous tiny creamy white flowers in summer. You can keep an individual plant (or keep it lower) by pruning the old plants and encouraging a new single plant to take over.

This exotic shrub is perfect for landscaping, planted as a standalone plant or centrepiece. There are several cultivars of Cordyline australis ‘Cornish Cabbage Plants’, ranging from variegated leaves to green and burgundy red.

They are undemanding and low maintenance. The three common cultivars of Cordyline australis Cabbage plants are

Green Cordyline australis,
Cordyline australis red star and
Variegated Cordyline australis 'Torbay Dazzler'.

See the full collection at Crocus

Do you know a garden plant like Cordyline australis?

As mentioned earlier, the dry brown leaves of Cordyline australis (‘Cornish Cabbage Plant’) are fantastic alternatives to garden ropes.

We’ve used the leaves as garden ropes in many garden projects (as shown in the images).

Hope you can try the ropes out if you have a Cordyline australis, Cordyline fruticosa or Yacca plant growing in your garden.

Do you have a garden plant like the bamboo stems or Yacca, Cordyline australis or Cordyline fruticosa plants? We would love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.

Here is the YouTube video of the strawberries netting project where we use the Cordyline australis leaves as a garden rope.