Most birds are still hunkered down in the sunny South for the winter but be proactive in preparing for their return this Spring.  Using bamboo and power tools, anyone can create a welcoming, natural birdhouse for our feathered friends!

Here’s what you need to create a Bamboo Bird House:

• Moso bamboo column (any height)
• Exterior paint (opt for low VOC paint)
• Permanent marker
• Paintbrush
• Tape measure
• Electric drill
• 3-inch hole saw drill bit
• ¼ inch drill bit
• 2 feet of weather-resistant chain or cable

Here’s how to make you Bamboo Bird House:

1. Paint the top and the bottom nodes of the bamboo column.
2. On the remaining nodes, mark the center of each with the permanent marker.
3. Using the 3-inch drill bit, place the drill at the center of a “X” on a node.
4. Drill a hole that is 2”x4” in diameter.  This is your entrance for the birds.
5. Repeat on the remaining nodes except for the top and bottom ones.
6. On the back side of the bamboo (non-entrance side), mark each node 1-2 inches from the edge of each node.
7. Drill a small hole on each of the marks you just made.
8. Thread the wire/cable through each hole, looping through the interior of the nodes.
9. Tie securely and hang from your favorite tree or on your porch!

For more fun bamboo craft projects, visit Green Earth News section on Bamboo Crafts!

How To Make A Bamboo Bird House is a post from: Green Earth News

If you’re looking for a last-minute decoration or a fun activity for the family on Christmas Day, take time to build this simple yet beautiful Bamboo Christmas Star. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own bamboo Christmas star:

• 6 bamboo stakes, 6-feet long
• 12 plastic zip ties
• 2 strings of miniature white lights, 100-feet long

Here’s how to make your bamboo Christmas star:

1. Create a triangle using three of the bamboo stakes.  Connect the ends with zip ties.
2. Create a second triangle with the remaining three bamboo stakes.
3. Attach the first triangle to the second triangle at the stake connection points using the zip ties.  (Your bamboo stakes should now look like a star.)
4. Wrap as few or as many of the white lights as you like around the bamboo star.

While intended to be an outdoor ornament, this bamboo star will look as festive hanging from your porch as it will hanging above your fireplace.

With the kids at home for the holidays, take a look at more Bamboo Crafts from Green Earth News.

Happy Holidays!

How To Make A Bamboo Christmas Star is a post from: Green Earth News

Now that you’re ready to begin a fall composting project, it’s time to decide what type of compost pile to build.  A heap pile is by far the easiest choice requiring no structure.  Just make sure to keep the pile at least 3 feet high and 3 feet wide and turn for aeration regularly.

Normally these projects are made using bamboo but in this case, in hopes that it’s going towards nourishing a bamboo garden, let’s make an exception.

If you’d like something a little more structured but not labor-intensive, consider a wire-mesh holding unit.  While posts are an option to provide stability when using chicken wire, they will make this “temporary” looking structure difficult to move.  Instead, build your unit with hardware cloth and it will be easy to relocate and provides easier access to finished compost.

Here’s what you need to a hardware cloth compost unit:

• ½ inch-wide hardware cloth, 10 feet
• Heavy wires for tying
• 4-foot tall wooden or metal posts, 3 or 4

Here’s how to build your compost unit:

1. Trim the ends of the hardware cloth to make the wires flush so that no edges are poking through.  Lightly file the ends of the wire to ensure smooth edges.
2. Bend the hardware cloth into a circle and stand it in place.
3. Cut the heavy wire into lengths for ties.
4. Using pliers, attach the ends of the hardware cloth together with the heavy wire.

For a more permanent structure, consider a fence-holding unit. 

Here’s what you need to build a fence-holding unit:

• Four wooden posts, 4-5 feet long
• Heavy wire for tying
• 13 feet snow fencing, at least 3 feet tall
• Pliers
• Sledgehammer
• Work gloves

Here’s how to build your fence-holding unit:

1. Decide where you want to place your holding unit and place the wooden posts in the ground 3 feet apart, forming a square.
2. Cut the heavy wire into tying lengths.
3. Attach the snow fence to the outside of the posts using the pliers and heavy wire.
4. Using the pliers and heavy wire, attach the fence ends together to complete your 3 square foot enclosure.Make sure to visit Green Earth News for more fun and useful Bamboo Craft ideas!

How To Build A Compost Bin is a post from: Green Earth News

For all the wannabe witches this Halloween, here’s an interesting alternative to plastic store-brought brooms.  Traditionally, bamboo brooms are used by Japanese gardeners as gentle, quiet tools to keep a yard clean of debris and leaves.  For many, it’s much more preferable to using a leaf blower.

This broom, however, will resemble the hearth brooms that most of us are familiar with so bamboo-handled broom is a more accurate term.  For it, you might choose to use broomcorn which is used to make the broom bristles.  Broomcorns are actually annual plants that have a large tassel on the top.  These tassels are measured and cut according to type of broom being created.  Straw is also an option for this project.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your bamboo broom:

• Broomcorn or straw, 2-3 pounds
• Twine or string
• Bamboo Handle, 18 inches
• Drill
• Scissors
• Knife

Here’s how to make your bamboo broom:

1. If using broomcorn, soak with the cut ends submerged in hot water for 15 minutes.
2. Sharpen the tip of the bamboo handle with a knife and drill a hole about an 1/8-inch wide just above the sharpened point.
3. Gather the straw or broomcorn into bundles about 1 – 1 ½ inch thick.  Wrap each bundle tightly and trim the ends into a straight edge.
4. Tie the bundles together, side by side.  Keep the bundles as flat as possible.  (Hint:  Wrap the twine or string diagonally from opposite sides to keep the bundles closer together.)
5. Push the sharpened tip of the bamboo handle about six inches deep into the center of the bundles.
6. Tie the bundles to the handle securely through the drilled hole.
7. Use the scissors to trim the ends of the bundles giving the broom a straight edge.

Grab your witches’ hat and enjoy!  For more fun DIY projects, visit Green Earth News Bamboo Crafts section.

How To Make A Bamboo Broom is a post from: Green Earth News

Please note that this ladder is for decorative purposes only.  And while that may sound odd, a ladder for decoration, they provide an unobtrusive accent to most rooms.  I find ours especially helpful in our tiny bathroom where it doubles as a rack for our bamboo towels!  And by using bamboo, you add a natural touch to your home décor as well.

Here’s what you need to make your bamboo ladder:

• 2 bamboo poles, 50mm x 2000mm
• 1 bamboo pole, 30mm x 2000mm
• Natural twine (sisal), 32m
• Steel Wool
• Saw
• Sandpaper
• Stanley Knife
• Hot glue gun

Here’s how to make your bamboo ladder:

1. Rub bamboo poles with steel wool to remove dirt or any other residue.
2. Cut the 30mm pole into 4 lengths:  1x450mm, 2x500mm and 1x550mm.  (Secure the bamboo with a clamp and rotate it when sawing to prevent splintering.)
3. Form the main frame of the ladder using the 50mm poles.  The distance between the poles should be 400mm at the base and 200mm at the top. 
4. Clamp the poles into place and then mark and position the rungs.
5. Mark the position of the first rung at 500mm from the bottom of the frame.  Mark the position of the second rung at 400mm from the first and continue on with the third and fourth rung which should also be 400mm apart.
6. Use the hot glue gun to attach the rungs.

For more do-it-yourself bamboo projects, visit Green Earth News Bamboo Crafts section!

 (Many thanks to Burke’s Backyard for this idea.)

How To Make A Bamboo Ladder is a post from: Green Earth News

For the truly ambitious or economical or both, here is a great idea for some home-grown décor.  Beyond a make-your-own bamboo lampshade, try making the lamp itself! 

Here’s what you need to make your Bamboo Lamp:

• Bamboo poles
• Energy efficient light bulb (preferably 5 watt)
• Paint or varnish
• Glue or epoxy
• Quick-drying cement
• Sandpaper
• Bucket or paint can (at least one foot tall)
• Drill
• Wiring kit for lamps

Here’s how to make your Bamboo Lamp:

1. Choose a bamboo pole that has at least a ¾ to 1 inch center hole.
2. Clean and smooth out the pole with the sandpaper.
3. Paint or varnish the bamboo pole as desired.  Let it dry completely.
4. Choose a segment of the bamboo pole to serve as the lamp holder.  Saw off the upper portion of that segment. (Keep in mind that there will have to be one intact segment for the lamp holder.)
5. Smooth out the portion that was sawed off with the sandpaper.
6. Drill a hole in the bottom of your paint can or bucket.  Line up bamboo pole with the hole.
7. Mix the cement in the bucket/paint can and hold the bamboo pole in place until it dries. 
8. Paint the stand and bamboo segment cut for the lamp holder with the epoxy or varnish.
9. Lastly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the wiring kit to finish your lamp.

Place your bamboo lamp wherever you please in your house and enjoy.  Perhaps it can light up a bedroom already cozied up with bamboo bedding.

For more fun do-it-yourself ideas, visit Green Earth News section on Bamboo Crafts!

(Thanks to HomeAndGardenIdeas.com for this craft idea.)

How To Make A Bamboo Lamp is a post from: Green Earth News

While we had every intention of building a simple bamboo shade structure over the past two weeks, the extreme heat had us avoiding the sun altogether and shunning garden work.  And in hiding from the sun, enjoying some eco-friendly beer I must admit, our dreams of garden structures grew from simple shade structure to full blown bamboo pergola!  (Aren’t we ambitious couch potatoes?)

So here’s what we will need to build our own bamboo pergola:

• 4 bamboo poles (8 feet tall)
• 6 bamboo poles (6 feet tall)
• 2 spools twine or thin rope
• Shovel
• Level
• Concrete (optional)

And here’s what we will be doing to build our bamboo pergola (hopefully):

1. Find a flat area in your yard that can accommodate a 6×6 square foot pergola.  Decide where you want to place your corners and measure 6 feet between them.  Mark your corners.
2. Measure the diameter of your 8-foot poles and dig a hole at the corner spots one inch larger than the pole’s diameter.  The holes should be from 6 in. – 1 foot deep (the deeper you dig, the more stable your pergola will be.)
3. Place two of the 8-foot poles on the ground 7 feet apart.  If the poles are not the same circumference on each end, make sure the larger ends are facing down as they will be the base of your structure.
4. Place a 6-foot pole 6 inches below the top of the first two poles to create a bridge between them.  Secure them with the twine by weaving the twine front, back and in between the poles creating a X-shaped pattern.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create the other side of your pergola.  Make sure that all corners are secure before standing up each side.  
6. Make sure the upper poles face outwards and secure the poles by placing them in their respective holes.  Make sure the structure is facing the chosen direction.
7. Pack the dirt around the bottom of the poles or use the concrete to secure them. 
8. Put one pole across the top of each side to connect the two structures.  Position them so that they rest in the joints of the wall and the roof poles.  Test all the poles with a level to make sure they are at the correct angle. 
9. Secure the new poles to the existing structure by wrapping the twine among all three pieces of bamboo at all four connection points.  Your pergola should be able to stand on its own at this point.
10. Place the last two of the 6-foot poles across the open space on top of the structure to make your roof.  Tie the poles to the cross beams with the twine.  Feel free to make more of an enclosed roof by placing more 6-foot poles on the structure.

 So wish us luck and leave a comment about your own Bamboo Crafts projects!

How To Make A Bamboo Pergola is a post from: Green Earth News

In honor of Father’s Day, craft ideas abound for handmade gifts that kids can make – those misshapen coffee mugs and macaroni artwork masterpieces that parents will carefully preserve for years.  But what greater gift can be given than the gift of time?  Here’s a fun idea for “paper bamboo” that father and child can make together.  And, for those raising an environmentally responsible child, this activity will teach them about a sustainable product that can grow without the use of pesticides, herbicides and irrigation.  The bamboo plant is easily harvested by cutting just above the ground and will be ready to harvest again in a few years as opposed to a traditional hardwood that may take 70 years to reach maturity.

The bamboo plant is also a staple of a kid-favorite creature, the Giant Panda!  Make it a full day and head to the theater for Kung Fu Panda 2 and then use this craft to show how quickly the bear’s favorite food can grow as long as they are left alone to grow.

Here’s what you need to make your “paper bamboo”:

• Green Construction Paper  OR
• White Construction Paper & Green Markers
• Tape
• Scissors

Here’s how to make your “paper bamboo”:

• If not using green construction paper, use your markers to color the white construction paper.
• When finished, roll the paper into a long tube.
• Add several layers to this roll.
• Tape the papers tightly together at one end.
• At the other end, make cuts about 5 – 7 inches long that go through all the layers.
• Very carefully, pull the inner layers upward.  They will “sprout” on the handmade bamboo cane you just designed.

Make sure to talk to you kids about why it’s important to let the bamboo grow and how important it is to the Giant Panda. And make sure you know what a friendly material bamboo is to include in your own lifestyle!

Have a Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Fun: How To Make “Paper Bamboo”! is a post from: Green Earth News

Eco-Friendly decorating isn’t just for celebrities!  Jessica Alba chose sustainable and repurposed materials for her bedroom and now you can join the trend!  Millions of dollars aren’t needed – just some bamboo and a little sweat.  Build this beautiful bamboo headboard to complement your bamboo sheets and bring a modern, natural vibe to your bedroom.

Here’s what you need to make your Bamboo Headboard:

• Bamboo Canes
• Masking Tape
• Fine-Tooth Saw
• Twine
• Scissors
• Wall Hooks

Here’s how to make your Bamboo Headboard:

1. Cut the poles to the height you prefer for your headboard.  You can make the poles all one height or vary the height and width to make your own unique design.  (Tip:  Wrap the poles in masking tape where you plan to cut to help prevent splintering.)
2. Lay out the bamboo poles on a flat surface.  Cut twine in 2 feet sections, two pieces of twine for every two canes of bamboo.  (Twine is the traditional choice but depending on the design you want use rope, string or even silk scarves.)
3. Place one piece of twine one third of the way from the top of the bamboo pole.  Create a figure eight with the twine to join two adjacent bamboo poles together.  Knot the twine securely in a knot. Make another figure eight and knot two-thirds of the way down from the top of the same poles.  Continue tying the bamboo together in this pattern until the desired width of the headboard is achieved.  For an added visual effect, you can stagger the placement of the knots or if you prefer, you can hide the knots behind the headboard.
4. Attach the wall hooks to the wall behind your bead and hang the headboard from the hooks.  The twine will serve as the hook for your bamboo headboard.

For more DIY Bamboo Projects, visit Green Earth News’ section on Bamboo Crafts!

How To Make A Bamboo Headboard For An Eco-Friendly Bedroom! is a post from: Green Earth News

Whether joining the local food movement or trying to combat rising food costs, now is the time to plant your spring garden for a summer bounty.  Wearing light and comfortable bamboo clothing, take advantage of the mild days and breezy evenings to prepare garden beds and plant summer fruits and vegetables.  Make your bamboo garden work for your summer garden by building a bamboo tomato cage and bamboo pepper support. 

Using a tomato cage makes it easier for sunlight to reach the growing fruit and makes them less prone to rot and fungal disease.  While there are many wire mesh cages available for purchase, a bamboo cage is a more beautiful choice for the garden.

Here’s what you need to build your bamboo tomato cage:

• Four 6-foot long bamboo poles
• Twelve 38-inch long pieces of bamboo
• 12 plastic zip ties
• Measuring tape

Here’s how to build your bamboo tomato cage:

1. Take two of the 6-foot-long bamboo poles and lay them side-by-side, spacing them 3 feet apart.
2. Create the first side of the cage by laying a shorter piece of bamboo horizontally across the top of the two longer bamboo poles (it should look like a rung on a ladder). Make sure that the “rung” is straight and level.
3. Attach the rung to each bamboo pole with a zip tie, making sure to cinch the tie down very tightly.
4. Measure 20 inches down from the first rung and attach the second rung to the bamboo poles using zip ties. Repeat this step with the third rung (it will be 40 inches down from the first rung).
5. You now have one side of the bamboo tomato cage complete. It should look like a bamboo ladder with extra space between the third rung and the bottom of the ladder. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to build the second side of the cage.
6. Now it’s time to finish the cage in the garden. Plant your tomato seedling. Then place one of the ladders 18 inches in front of the tomato. Drive the legs of the ladder into the soil, making sure that it is stable and level. Then, take the second ladder and place it 18 inches from the backside of the tomato. Push the ladder down into the soil so that it is the same height as the first ladder. The ladders should now be facing each other, spaced 3 feet apart with the tomato in the middle.
7. Complete the cage by attaching the two ladders together with the remaining 38-inch-long bamboo rungs to form a cube. Be sure to attach the side rungs so they line up as closely as possible with the rungs on the ladders. Use the remaining zip ties to attach the rungs, being sure to cinch them down very tightly. 

Pepper plants tend to have brittle stems and are likely to break from the weight of their own fruit.  Using an attractive bamboo support keeps the plants upright and allows the pepper to mature without falling to the ground.

Here’s what you need to make your bamboo pepper support:

• Two 3-foot tall U-shaped bamboo stakes for support
• Sisal twine

Here’s how to build your bamboo pepper support:

1. Plant your peppers in a spot with full sun and rich soil. Space the plants 18 inches apart in rows that are two feet apart.
2. To make the support, center one U-shaped stake over a pepper plant. Then, drive each leg of the stake 10 inches into the soil.
3. Take the second U-shaped stake and center it crosswise over the first stake (the top of the two stakes should form an X when viewed from above). Drive each leg of this stake 10 inches into the soil. You should now have a bamboo support that forms a column around the plant and crisscrosses at the top.
4. Make sure each leg of the support is evenly driven into the ground and the top of the support is level. Then, secure the two stakes together by wrapping an 18-inch piece of sisal twine around the point where the tops of the stakes cross.

Happy Growing!

How To Make A Bamboo Tomato Cage & Bamboo Pepper Support For Your Garden is a post from: Green Earth News