I’ll be planting bamboo, and need a barrier in the soil to keep the roots from spreading. Any thoughts on using Hardie Panel, cut to size? It’s not designed for this, of course, but I wonder how well it will hold up. The best alternative I’ve found so far is galvanized roof panels, which will rust away eventually. The Hardie panels might last just as long — and I’d use up leftover material cluttering my shed.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The best tool for straight, splinter-free cuts is made even better without a cord.
Featured Video
Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by BrickHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
It should last longer than most wood products. Of course, the roots will probably grow into it and eventually work their way through, but they'd do that with anything other than metal or smooth plastic.
hardiboard border
Sorry to say I used Hardi-board stuck into the ground as a temporary border and it lasted less than a year. It flaked itself to pieces. It might have lasted longer if I’d painted all sides including the edges, but if you read the instructions – it is not recommended for ground contact. But it did clear all the clutter from my shop and is now strewn all over my garden.
Never look a give horse in his other end!
hardie board and ground contact
I guess I'd rather have the Hardie boards cluttering my shed than scattered around my yard in flakes. Thanks for the amusing warning!
But which Hardie product did you use? Was it the backerboard made for tile? I'm curious because the Hardie panels I have (4 x 8 panels with a stucco-like texture) have been sitting outside my shed for over a year now, with one long edge resting on the ground, and I haven't noticed any deterioration.
First things first. There are two types of bamboo, spreading and clumping. Spreading bamboos will send out runners just as you suggest. On the other hand clumping bamboos grow in fairly tight clumps. Consider using a clumping bamboo and you won't need any barrier at all. As to a barrie, a section of used conveyor belt works well until the bamboo has shed enough leaves to cover the exposed edge of the barrier. Once that happens you can expect the bamboo to appear anywhere in your yard.
types of bamboo
Thanks -- I've heard about clumping vs. spreading bamboo, but I expect to be getting free bamboo from some neighbors, who don't really know which type it is. Is there a good way to tell which type of bamboo I'm looking at?
Is there a good way to tell which..............
Sure, go over to the neighbors, and if it's growning all over like horse manure..............
it's the spreading kind.