Vertical Gardening

This year, I'm trying to use a smaller space to plant so I can better control weeds/pest/etc. versus the sprawling, huge garden I had last year. My garden plot is 36' by 95'. I have access to bamboo poles, but they will be fresh and not dried. My question is, will they hold up if I make teepees out of them? Or do you think they'll be too springy? I do have wooden stakes that I used for my tomatoes last year, but they are much shorter than I think the teepees will need to be to keep them from outgrowing the teepee too fast. Also, what would you use for the horizontal supports. I was thinking garden twine and I was planning 6 poles for each teepee. I've got them in 4' squares on my garden map. I've only ever used trellis (t-posts and orange construction rolls) for things like peas, cukes and beans, but I'm hoping to get more bang for my space by using this vertical idea. I'd love some input. Thanks!

Eileen

Eileen, from everything I read, you can use fresh bamboo in the garden. One site recommended trimming the ends and sealing them with wax to keep moisture and bugs out. The only caveat was that the undried fresh bamboo would not last as long as the dried bamboo. They did recommend that the bamboo be tied or wired together as it will split from nails or screws. Good luck with your project and remember to post a picture of the results.

Thank you for your reply! I'm not too worried about them lasting longer - I just procrastinated and didn't get them last year. They're free (on a neighbor's property - with permission), so I can get as many as I need. I had planned to tie them together. I'm just wondering what to use for the climbing horizontals. I was thinking just garden twine, but I'm not sure it will hold up.

You can cut and lash in horizontal pieces of bamboo in the lengths you need. Just stagger them at different heights around the tepees. I would recommend using a vinyl coated small gauge wire to attach the pieces.

Ooh, that didn't occur to me. You think zip ties would work as well? I've got scads of those! If not, I'll get some of that wire - where will I find it for sale? Thanks for your advice!

Oh, zip ties will work just fine. Not everyone knows what they are so didn't think to mention them...grin. You can also use a hot glue gun to kinda hold the bamboo in place while you are securing it. You can probably find a block of paraffin any place they sell canning supplies. Our grocery carries it. Just use an old coffee can, melt the wax and when you are ready to assemble, dip each end in the wax to seal it. I have an old crockpot I use for those kinda projects.

The wax will help keep water and bugs out of your bamboo.

As for the wire....any hardware store or big box home improvement store should have it. I bought a spool of "lamp cord" (wire used for lamps and extension cords) really cheaply on the close out table and since it is two wires coated separately you can split it in half. My 50 foot roll will give me 100 feet of coated wire for about $6.

Have fun. Grin