How to Plant Reeds
Reeds are large members of the grass and sedge families that grow in deltas, along lake shores and in other wet areas. Species include the common reed, giant reed, Burma reed, canary grass and sweet-grass reed. Reeds grow in a wide variety of environments and have adapted to very cold temperatures as well as tropical climates. For centuries, reeds have been utilized by humans for building materials, baskets, musical instruments and other practical uses. If you have a pond or other source of water on your property, you can grow reeds, which can help stop erosion, as their roots help hold the soil in place. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose an area next to a body of either salt or fresh water; reeds like to have their roots wet.
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Dig a hole for each clump of reeds. Space the clumps at least 2 feet apart, as they will spread and fill in the area quickly.
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Place each clump of reeds into the holes and fill them in with the muddy earth you dug out. Pat around the base of each clump to ensure that they are securely planted.
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If the water level near your reeds recedes during dry weather, keep your reeds well watered. If the area dries out, other plants, including trees, can start to take hold and can crowd out the reeds.
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Tips & Warnings
Planting a reed bed will help the environment and native wildlife because it will provide an important habitat for many types of birds and other animals, such as moths and snails. Reed beds can help communities save on the costs and labor associated with dewatering sludge, which is a step in sewage treatment.
Check to make sure that the species of reed you plan to plant is not considered invasive in your part of the world. The giant reed constitutes a problem from Arkansas and Texas to California, where it chokes riversides and stream channels, crowding out native plants and negatively impacting wildlife habitats.
