A Winter Guide to Planning for Spring

'Plan de jardin'

​

Spring planting success is determined months before anything goes in the ground. Winter is when landscapes are easiest to read — sightlines are exposed, problem views are obvious, and the permanent structure of a property is visible without seasonal distraction.

​

This is the right moment to step back and make decisions that affect how a property functions year-round, especially when planning bamboo for screening, privacy, or spatial definition.

​

1. Identify what needs to be screened — and why
Privacy, wind, noise, neighboring structures, and visual clutter each require different solutions. Bamboo is often used where year-round coverage matters, but not every area needs height or density. Defining the goal first prevents unnecessary planting later.

​

2. Measure real space, not imagined space
Bamboo spacing and mature width matter. Winter allows accurate measurement of planting distances, setbacks, and root zones — critical for choosing the right species and avoiding overcrowding or long-term maintenance issues.

​

3. Choose the right bamboo type early
Clumping and running bamboo behave very differently. Deciding which is appropriate for a site — based on space, soil moisture, and long-term intent — is far easier before spring planting pressure sets in.

​

4. Plan for evergreen structure, not seasonal coverage
Bamboo provides year-round structure and privacy in a way deciduous plants cannot. When placed correctly, it becomes the backbone of a landscape rather than a temporary screen.

​

5. Plan once. Execute once.
Bamboo rewards correct planning more than most plants. Decisions made in winter lead to smoother planting, better establishment, and fewer corrections years down the line.

​

Thoughtful planning now results in bamboo plantings that mature cleanly, perform predictably, and fit the space they’re given.