This is a test of commonsense. Complete the next sentence:

How to prune bamboo
Prune once a year in late summer or early fall to minimize spreading.
Although bamboo has a rapid growth rate, you only need to prune it once a year if you do a really thorough job. Pruning your bamboo more frequently can actually cause it to send off more shoots.
Mark on your calendar when to start pruning and coordinate it with fertilizing. Cut down weak or dead canes in the spring to keep your plants healthy.