where to find bamboo poles?

[Bekka]

I would like to use bamboo canes for trellising in my garden this year. What kind of store do I find the stuff at locally? How do I research it? I know a couple of mail order garden catalogs have it, but I'd really like to have 20 to 40 poles for trellising my vegetables this year, and I'd rather buy local if I can find them.

[tayndrewsmama]

I have seen and purchased them at Home Depot.

[BedHead]

I've gotten them at Home Dept and at Canadian Tire.

[Tizzy]

Dollar store.

[Amylcd]

Big Lots, Lowes, Home Depot

[FarmerCathy]

I found someone who lives nearby with a giant bamboo patch and he was happy to have his patch thinned. You'd have to cut them to the size you want, but its a cheaper way to go.

[Authentic_Mother]

I agree wih the above poster - find someone who owns a patch and they are usually happy to share!
Also - around here in south east texas you can find them super cheap at the feed stores.

[Tizzy]

Because bamboo grows so easily in every climate

[lightheart]

put a request out on your local freecycle

[brenbren]

i got my bamboo poles at sunset bamboo and there great everyone there is friendly and shipping was free and fast now my little boys room looks great we tried to make it island themed hes into surfing (:

[Owen'nZoe]

Yeah, I have to agree with Farmer Cathy - see if you can find someone with a bamboo patch you can cut from. I've gotten them from Home Depot or my local garden store, but I think they are insanely expensive when you consider how quicly and easily they grow - I think I paid $10 for 10 poles. 40 poles would be very pricey! If you can't find anyone with bamboo, maybe you can find another plant that would substitute. I now use poles I cut from my elderberry bushes. They grow like weeds and have nice, straight, strong canes that work as poles. (If you go with Elderberry, just be careful with green cuttings, because I understand they can root and form a new plant. I always let mine dry out for awhile before I use them.)

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy 

I found someone who lives nearby with a giant bamboo patch and he was happy to have his patch thinned. You'd have to cut them to the size you want, but its a cheaper way to go.

I did this as well.  The guy was completely perplexed when I knocked on his door asking to cut his bamboo.  It had escaped from the neighbor's yard and had covered one of his fields and I mean thickly covered.  He was paying someone to come bulldoze and spray it the following week and was shocked that someone might actually want some of it.  I hauled away about 30 - 15 foot poles. 

Otherwise, I see it cheap in stores all the time sold as fencing material.  Now would be a good time to buy it -- lots of sales at the gardening centers.  

[RosieL]

Is the bamboo easy to cut down? I've got a patch that I'm planning on cutting and drying for trellising next year. I've been putting off the task because I anticipate having to saw each pole with much elbow grease...

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by RosieL 

Is the bamboo easy to cut down? I've got a patch that I'm planning on cutting and drying for trellising next year. I've been putting off the task because I anticipate having to saw each pole with much elbow grease...

Not hard to cut down at all.  Pushing over and breaking it works too.