Eliminating Bamboo

Is there a way to get rid of bamboo? Nothing I've tried has worked. In fact, the bamboo seems to grow more vigorous every time I try to eliminate it.

—Saundra Henderson, Orangevale, California

Melinda: First, try digging out the rhizomes (the underground stems). They don't go down too deep—there are just a lot of them. Or try to continually prune the bamboo to ground level. By removing the stems and leaves, you're removing the food source for the roots. If you're persistent, you'll eventually eliminate the bamboo.