Wood Chip Mulch

[Durgan]

http://durgan.org/2010/October%202010/8 ... ulch/HTML/ 8 October 2010 Wood Chip Mulch

Nine cubic yards of slightly composted wood chip was delivered to my driveway. Cost was 15 dollars per yard. It took a day and a half to dispense in various locations in the yard by wheelbarrow. About five yards was retained for use on the vegetable garden in 2011. The mulch is primarily used to limit loss of moisture due to evaporation, and to inhibit mostly grass growth, also it tends to maintain a constant temperature for various plants in the vegetable garden, and tends to stop rivulets of water from forming during heavy rainfall.

[Denzle]

http://durgan.org/2010/October%202010/8 ... ulch/HTML/ 8 October 2010 Wood Chip Mulch

Nine cubic yards of slightly composted wood chip was delivered to my driveway. Cost was 15 dollars per yard. It took a day and a half to dispense in various locations in the yard by wheelbarrow. About five yards was retained for use on the vegetable garden in 2011. The mulch is primarily used to limit loss of moisture due to evaporation, and to inhibit mostly grass growth, also it tends to maintain a constant temperature for various plants in the vegetable garden, and tends to stop rivulets of water from forming during heavy rainfall.

Sounds good....

But,.... dont you have to take care with the acid thats washed into the soil from the wood chip, when putting this on a veg garden. How do you put the alkalinity back to normal again.

[pelmetman]

I remember buying a load of wood chip for the garden and was not impressed. The stuff used to blow all over the place especially where I didn't want it Mind you that garden was quite exposed. I would much rather stick to good old compost which doesn't cost us anything either

Sue

[Durgan]

http://durgan.org/2010/October%202010/8 ... ulch/HTML/ 8 October 2010 Wood Chip Mulch

Nine cubic yards of slightly composted wood chip was delivered to my driveway. Cost was 15 dollars per yard. It took a day and a half to dispense in various locations in the yard by wheelbarrow. About five yards was retained for use on the vegetable garden in 2011. The mulch is primarily used to limit loss of moisture due to evaporation, and to inhibit mostly grass growth, also it tends to maintain a constant temperature for various plants in the vegetable garden, and tends to stop rivulets of water from forming during heavy rainfall.

Sounds good....

But,.... dont you have to take care with the acid thats washed into the soil from the wood chip, when putting this on a veg garden. How do you put the alkalinity back to normal again.

Compost is laid n the garden and periodically I sprinkle some urea (rarely) on the bed, and rototill into the soil. The wood chips are already slightly decomposed, and they are rototilled into the soil in the Fall. They condition the soil. Basically my only fertilizer is compost and wood chips, plus the nutrients inherent in the underlying soil, which is heavy clay, now heavily conditioned with compost and wood chips.

I have not had what could be considered acid soil, which has affected any plants. These chips are heavy enough so they don't blow around, and I find the moisture retention quality from evaporation is the real plus on the vegetable garden. The chips prevent the top two inches of soil from turning into hardpan, from exposure to rain then sun drying the top layer. The top layer under the chips is always friable and reasonably moist.

I have only been using the chips over the last three years and I see no downside. All my produce is bigger and healthier than normal.

[grahamhobbs]

Fortunately we get wood chip delivered free to our allotments (tree pruners in London often are glad to get rid of it). I've used it on paths, ok but needs replenishing every 2 years. I've used it a bit on the veg. patch but prefer compost or manure. However on the soft fruit it is very good, I've laid it 6" deep. Soft fruit don't mind the slight acidy and has improved the quantity appreciably, especially in this very dry year. Unfortunately even 6" doesn't stop bindweed coming up, but the roots migrated up and therefore easier to pull out.