Root barrier

Next step was to finally put in the 20 meter long root barrier sheet in the border to east. It wasn't that hard.

Unfold the sheet

Put it in place

Cover it up before the rain comes

You may have noticed in the last picture the ditch that is forming in the middle of the plot. Here it is from a different angle

First row...?

That ditch marks the base of the first swale, i.e. the mid-line between the two northmost rows. My next thing to do is to start digging out and making that wider and my rows higher and narrower. Then I shall cover each row with 2 mulch sheets which meet on top of the row, so that I can plant on top of the row just between the sheets (huh huh)

To make sure the distance between the rows are same, I am going to use a plank or something, as wide as the path between the rows.

Spot the difference

 After my foot had healed, I went and started cleaning out the north neighbor's bamboos. That was the only day when I forgot to wear a helmet, and what do you know.... I was hit on the head by a falling bamboo. It was a pretty thick and heavy one that had broken and hung on other branches, and when I started clearing those branches, it got its chance to fall and hit me right on the head. 

It took 2 trips to the hospital and over 3 weeks to get over the injuries, pain and constant dizziness. Still I was very lucky I suppose. After that, I did not forget my helmet. Plus every time I push or pull a bamboo or a tree's branch I check first what may be hanging on it. Also I reevaluated my plan to cut down that leaning tree on the north west side. It's not really that bothering, and the risk of it breaking off because of its extreme lean and hitting me while I am cutting it is simply not worth it.

Anyway, after a few weeks I was back and spent a few days to clean the north side. I think I am done with those bamboos now. The remainder are leaning away from my plot and even if the fall they won't bother me.

Here is before and after pictures. Can you spot the difference? Hint: The difference is about 50 bamboos between the pics.

Before

After

In the "after" pic, there are still a few dry, broken bamboos tangled and hanging on the left side. I cleared those out too.