- 1). Purchase a preformed pool liner---available in a range of sizes and shapes from do-it-yourself and specialty stores. It must be at least 2 feet deep and of a material that can resist the pressure of persistent rhizomes trying to punch their way through. According to the American Bamboo Society, "barriers can be concrete, or metal, or plastic. The usual recommendation is high-density polypropylene, 40 mil or heavier."
- 2). Turn the liner over and drill several small holes in the bottom for drainage. The number of holes you drill depends upon the size of the liner. You want enough holes for good drainage, but not so many or so large the rhizomes can find their way through.
- 3). Place the preformed pool liner on the ground where you want to plant the bamboo and trace around it by sprinkling a line of powdered lime or chalk along the perimeter.
- 4). Remove the liner. Cut out the grass with a sharp shovel or sod cutter and set aside. Dig out soil to the exact height of liner.
- 5). Level the excavation site and test by placing the liner inside the hole. Dig out any high spots and test again until the liner edge sits level with the ground surface all the way around.
- 6). Remove the liner and put 2 to 3 inches of sand in the hole. Rake and level, testing the fit as before but this time allowing the liner to rise above the ground surface 2 to 3 inches all the way around.
- 7). Fill the pool with soil. Use the excavated soil for the bottom foot or so and tamp it in well to form a hardened layer, which will discourage rhizomes from downward growth. Follow that layer with an enriched soil layer. Bamboo prefer acidic loam soil, so mix peat or other organic matter into your excavated soil before placing it in the pool liner. Fill to within 4 or 5 inches of the inside top of the liner.
- 8). Back fill around the outside of the pool liner with leftover soil and top with saved sod to cover any bare soil and neaten outside edges.
- 9). Plant bamboo in liner according to recommendations for your chosen bamboo species---usually this information is available on the nursery tag that came with your plant.
- 10
Water the young plants well. Follow with a mulch layer to within 2 inches of the top. Follow care instructions for your bamboo species according to your climate and growing conditions.
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