Fiberglass rebar for garden stakes?

[ning]

If it's legal where the OP is bamboo is great.

If you can contain it.
In the DC area there is usually someone begging to give it away.

I'd rather plant Himalayan blackberry, easier to control even with birds working against you

There's a lady nearby who gives away bamboo yearly; it's cut-it-yourself but at least I don't have to worry about it getting loose in my yard

 

[RjCorazza]

If it's legal where the OP is bamboo is great.

If you can contain it.
In the DC area there is usually someone begging to give it away.

The problem in more urban areas is that people plant it where it just can't be properly controlled. There is nothing worse than bamboo as a property line screen. I can see why it would be regulated.
In lieu of fireworks, for my yearly burn pile I throw a bunch of mature bamboo on the pile... Sounds like a shotgun when those chambers let loose.

 

[bcp]

I was wondering if fiberglass rebar might have a coating or formulation that avoided the splinters and fuzz. Looks like it doesn't.

Thanks for all the comments.

Bruce

 

[jyoutz]

Yes, fiberglass rebar can be used for garden stakes, and it's becoming increasingly popular for this purpose. Here are the key reasons why:

Benefits of Using Fiberglass Rebar for Garden Stakes:​

1. Corrosion-Resistant
   Unlike steel rebar, fiberglass doesn't rust, even when exposed to moisture, fertilizers, or chemicals in the soil. This makes it ideal for outdoor and garden use.
2. Lightweight
   Fiberglass rebar is significantly lighter than metal alternatives, making it easier to handle, install, and reposition in the garden.
3. Durable and Long-Lasting
   It doesn’t warp, rot, or degrade over time like wood or bamboo, so you can reuse it season after season.
4. Non-Conductive
   It doesn't conduct electricity, which adds an element of safety, especially near electric fences or garden tools.
5. Eco-Friendly
   Since it lasts longer and doesn’t leach chemicals, it's a more sustainable option than treated wood stakes.
6. Customizable Lengths and Diameters
   Fiberglass rebar comes in various sizes, so it can support anything from tomato plants to small trees.

Considerations:​

• Cost: It can be more expensive than traditional stakes initially.
• Rigidity: While strong, it's not as rigid as steel, so may flex under heavy loads.
• Appearance: Typically industrial-looking, though it can be painted or coated.

Common Uses in Gardens:​

• Supporting climbing plants like tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers.
• Marking rows or boundaries.
• Holding up protective netting or shade cloths.

And after sun exposure will produce splinters that will lodge in your hands and create unspeakable misery.

 

[Jstpssng]

And after sun exposure will produce splinters that will lodge in your hands and create unspeakable misery.

Note that the poster you replied to created an account for that purpose. Hence his username...

 

[jyoutz]

Note that the poster you replied to created an account for that purpose. Hence his username...

Yep

 

[2manyrocks]

Try driving a fiberglass post into clay soil with a hammer.

 

[RjCorazza]

Fiberglass rebar MAY be good when encased in concrete, but I would not use it for anything else I can think of.
I used steel rebar in my barn slab, and patio.