The first time I ever saw bamboo was in my parents' vegetable garden.
As a small child – that’s a very long time ago – I fondly remember being drawn to the bundles of exotic bamboo poles.
To my sister and I, they were swords, fishing rods, the frame for a tepee, and anything else our little imaginations dreamed up. To my parents, these simple bamboo sticks were the most practical and affordable gardening accessory.
Of course, the materials and products we use in our gardens have evolved a lot since then meaning we have more choices. But, in spite of the alternatives out there, the humble bamboo stake is still a firm favorite of gardeners everywhere. Let’s take a look at why that is…
What Are Bamboo Stakes?
Bamboo stakes start life as lengths of bamboo cane cut from the bamboo plant.
Foliage stripped, the nodes in the center of each cane are hollowed out. The bamboo poles are then dried for around 6 months. At the end of the drying process, cracked canes are discarded. To help them resist moisture, the remaining canes receive a fine coat of linseed oil. They’re now ready for use as garden stakes.
Available in a variety of lengths, bamboo stakes are measured in feet with 4 ft, 5 ft, 6 ft, and 8 ft being the most common.
The more mature the bamboo plant, the wider the cane. Shorter lengths, cut from younger plants, start from around 6 mm thick for light garden use. Longer canes, or ‘heavy-duty stakes’, often measure up to a super-sturdy 16 mm thick.
Smaller green bamboo sticks are available in shorter lengths for light projects.
U-shaped bamboo hoops are made by heating bamboo and gently bending it into shape before drying. These are available in 3 ft and 5 ft heights.