SawDust/Woodchips

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Elk Boy

Active Member

• Mar 25, 2008

• #1

When planting outside and it is time to prepared the soil, can I use sawdust/woodchip in the mixture to help retain water. Also I have kelp readily available, can I also mix it into the soil.

 

kittybitches

Well-Known Member

• Mar 30, 2008

• #2

i imagine it would depend on the type(s) of sawdust and chips you use. what did you have in mind? i would think that it would be a slow feeding additive if anything.

 

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Elk Boy

Active Member

• Mar 30, 2008

• #3

The sawdust is from a local Lumber mill . The logs are from the local area and there is an unlimited supply of Sawdust and Woodchips.

I have grown regular vegetable's in it, with a mixture of soil and Kelp(also unlimited). Was wondering if there would be a problem that anyone knew off.

I was also thinking it would also retain water.

 

tusseltussel

Well-Known Member

• Mar 30, 2008

• #4

the only problem i know of is that uncomposted woodchips and sawdust zap nitrogen from the soil so you will have to fertilize more, which is not really a organic thing but will work, yes you may use organic ferts but the idea is to use less with organics and build up the soil not add ferts

 

kittybitches

Well-Known Member

• Mar 31, 2008

• #5

you should experiment and document the different types of wood chips/dust. id imagine that a wood like pine would fuck with the pH.

 

organick

Well-Known Member

• Apr 3, 2008

• #6

The only way I would use them is if they where composted ALOT.
If you are trying to grow kind bud raw wood chips (even less than 10%) won't do much because all your fert will be going to decompose the wood, then when flowering comes the wood will give you nothing.
Also wood chips are really acidic; tomatos might like it but not Mary Jane.