Free Garden Catalogs - Is there anyway to get rid of Japanese bamboo that grows from my neighbors yard into mine? I planted a flower

Is there anyway to get rid of Japanese bamboo that grows from my neighbors yard into mine? I planted a flower

garden a couple years ago and the bamboo just took over.

Public Comments

Yeah, just shave it everyday. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do, you could call the police and file a complaint, but do you really want your neighbors to hold a grudge against you?
Wet down the area really well, then you;ll have to cut it out & get all the roots. It's a very hard task but you can do it.
SALT WILL WORK OR CHLORINE WILL THEY BOTH WILL KILL THE ROOT THE ONLY THING IS IT WOULD BE AWHILE BEFORE YOU COULD PLANT FLOWERS CHLORINE LIKE FOR POOLS IS BEST SUN AND LOTS OF WATER WILL DELUTE IT FASTER BUT IT WILL KILL ALL ROOTS
This has become a very invasive weed. It multiplies like crazy, and as soon as you dig it up or cut it down, it's back again. I read an article in the gardening section of the newspaper that suggested not digging it up because that spreads its aerial roots and encourages more growth. I have the same problem in the middle of my perennial garden. My neighbor has it planted next to our common stone wall. I can't use weed cleaner, bleach or salt because they will kill my bulbs, shrubs, plants and grass. So I cut it back every week or so and put it in the trash. After using a strong weed killer, you need to wait at least 6 months before you plant flowers or bulbs in the area.
Please trust me this works, but it does take time and work. Every spring you can mow/cut down what grows. You do need to dig a ditch on the border of your neighbors yard. Make the ditch about 2 ft deep. have a piece of sheet metal cut to the length of the garden. Since bamboo roots shallow, the roots will hit the metal and send up shoots from that point. I've only every used sheet metal, but I think anything that doesn't biodegrade would work as well. It just needs to be in the ground a good 24 inches. Every few years you might have to expand the sheet metal, but it will work. This is what your neighbor should have done before planting.
I would dig the ditch as suggested earlier and put in the metal to stop any further invasion. When you dig the ditch make sure you cut right down to below the roots of the bamboo. Now chop the top of the stalks that are growing on your side and immediately spray or paint with 'roundup' (you may have to spray a few times to get rid of all of it) When you cut the stems it makes the plant more susceptible than just spraying the leaves, especially on hard to kill shrubs etc. You must spray immediately as the stems start to heal over almost immediately. If you have cut your patch of bamboo away from the neighbours (all roots and runners) properly only your side will die.
The only true method to stop your heartache would be to dig a ditch and place a barrier in the ground. Mind you not just along the back wall put your ENTIRE yard. Otherwise the bamboo rhizomes may eventually work their way around the barrier if you just install it where the "problem" is. If you can't dig it then maybe you can hire someone to do it. Maybe even talk to your neighbor, educate them and possibly work out a solution. Who knows, maybe they will pay for half the cost. I would however use a bamboo root barrier designed to last virtually forever. Metals will eventually decay underground and bamboo has been know to grow through concrete so this stuff is the best choice in my opinion. Here is a great website on controlling bamboo...and yes they offer bamboo barrier too. http://www.jmbamboo.com/barrier.htm