The Complete DIY Manual for Bamboo Fencing

Are you looking for a way to screen your yard? Or maybe you want to make a handwashing station. Bamboo is the answer! It's strong, natural, and looks amazing. Plus, it's super versatile. You can use it for fences, screens, and even baskets.

Let's get started!

Why Use Bamboo For DIY Fencing?

1. Natural: It's 100% natural and eco-friendly.
2. Strong: It can last for years if it's cured and treated well.
3. Beautiful: The natural look can add a lot to your outdoor space.

Materials You Need

• Bamboo canes (5-year-old canes are the best)
• A hand torch
• Twine
• A special bamboo splitter
• A mallet
• Flat rock or hard surface
• A special knife for splitting

Preparing Bamboo Canes

Before you start building, make sure the bamboo is ready. It needs to be cured. This means you should store it away from direct sunlight in a well-ventilated place for a few months.

Setting Up Canes

1. Place four bamboo canes on the ground.
2. Make sure the outer two canes are stuck about one foot into the ground.
3. The middle two canes can just rest on the ground.

Bending Bamboo

1. Cut the top half off of each of your four standing canes.
2. Use a hand torch to heat the remaining top part.
3. Slowly bend it over a top cane. This holds everything in place.

Tying and Weaving

1. Once bent, use twine to tie the bent bamboo to itself.
2. At the corners, bend the bamboo at a 90-degree angle.
3. Cut additional bamboo canes to the width of your structure for weaving.

Splitting

1. Use a special bamboo splitter to make strips.
2. Bang the splitter into the bamboo using a mallet.
3. Keep banging until the bamboo splits into multiple pieces.
4. Use these pieces to weave between the standing poles.

Making Bamboo Strips for Baskets

1. Use a special knife to split the bamboo even further.
2. Make the strips thinner by splitting the width.
3. If you want it even thinner, divide the thickness.

Building a Handwashing Station (or Anything Else!)

1. Keep weaving until you reach the top.
2. Add a decorative weave of smaller pieces at the top.
3. You can hide things like a plastic jug behind this bamboo wall.

Final Tips

• To make it more interactive, why not throw a bamboo party? Invite friends and make it a community project!
• You can add a bamboo container for water if you're making a handwashing station.
• Drill holes in the bamboo container to slide it on a horizontal cane.
• Use another bamboo cup to scoop water into this container.