Okay, so today I decided to tackle the heavenly bamboo in my yard. It was getting a bit out of control, all leggy and blocking the walkway. I’ve been putting it off, but the weather was perfect, so it was time.
First, I gathered my tools. I’m no expert, so I just grabbed my trusty pruning shears, some gloves (those leaves can be a bit scratchy!), and a big yard waste bag. I also put on some long sleeves because I tend to get scratched up no matter what.
Getting Started
I stood back and looked at the whole thing for a minute. It’s kind of a sprawling mess of stalks, some tall, some short, some with berries, some without. I just wanted to open it up a bit, make it look a little neater, and encourage some new growth.
- I started by cutting out any dead or broken stalks. These were easy to spot, all brown and brittle. I cut them right down to the ground.
- Next, I tackled the really tall ones that were blocking the path. I didn’t want to just chop them in half, because that looks ugly, So I followed them down to where they branched off a lower stalk, and cut them there. This way, the cuts are hidden and it looks more natural.
- Then I looked for any crossing branches. I thinned out some of the smaller stalks to give the plant more air circulation. That will prevent the problems.
The Tricky Part
There were a few really thick stalks that I was hesitant about.I took my time and eventually got them. Using my shears, cutting them carefully and quickly.
The Finishing Touches
Once I was done with the major cuts, I stepped back and took another look. I trimmed a few more stragglers here and there, just to even things out. Then I gathered up all the clippings and stuffed them into the yard waste bag. It’s amazing how much stuff came off just one plant!
I cleaned up the area, watered the heavenly bamboo to help it recover from the stress, and that was it! It looks so much better now. The walkway is clear, the plant looks healthier, and I feel pretty good about a job well done. I’ll probably have to do this again next year, but now I know what I’m doing, it won’t be so intimidating.
