Sawdust

[KittyColdNose]

Hello there.

A couple of weeks ago about 2doz trees were cut down just up the (country) road we live on. I am wondering, is it worth me taking my OH over with me to grab a couple of bukets full for the compost? I think that my compost needs something other than food/garden waste it currently gets as it is a bit wet. I know a lot of people put newspaper etc on theirs, but after hearing what goes into the ink from my brother who works at a printer I'm not keen on doing that.

Any advice will be much appreciated

[zazen999]

Yes but don't waste it in a composter - use it to mulch round newly planted veg.

[KittyColdNose]

Thanks Zazen. I wondered if that might be the way to go. I have a couple of compost sacks I can store it in till I need it.

[Darwin.]

I've been wondering about this myself, my father has a farm and had to cut down a few trees so there's a lot of sawdust about, it would be great if my garden could benefit from it in some way.

[KittyColdNose]

Sounds like you should have a steadyish supply there Ronan.

Right, I am off the get the buckets and sacks sorted ready for a trip across the road

[alldigging]

Get as much as you can. It'll rot down really well - it's used in compost loos if that tells you what form of nitrogen is really good with it.

[Two_Sheds]

I know a lot of people put newspaper etc on theirs, but after hearing what goes into the ink

Newspaper ink is vegetable-based, it's not toxic. I, and 1000s of other growers, put newspaper in the compost heap.
I also bed my pets on newspaper.

I've never had any problems with it.

[Veggieman]

If there is plenty of it, put some in the compost bin too. It mixes really well with grass clippings to give a nice compost.

[cheops]

Hi, sorry to chip into this thread so late but I have just come across it. We use coal in an open fire so often I'm getting bits of trees which I cut into logs with my chainsaw. It's surprising how much coarse sawdust is produced. Up to now Iv'e being putting in onto a hot fire to dampen it a bit and hold it burning for a while longer but I'm very interested to hear I could use it as mulch or in the compost bin. My question is -- Is it ok to use any sort of wood? Sometimes I have pine logs and am wondering if that also is ok to compost or mulch.

[wizzbang]

I will be interested to read the replies to your question Cheops. I have just had some pine trees felled that were blocking a view and there is lots of sawdust from them. Also the branches and needles have been shredded. Do I have to compost the shredded stuff before I can use it or can I dig it directly into my soil?
I think I remember reading somewhere that it is too high in some kind of natural chemical nutrient to use directly in soil but I can't remember.
Lynne x

[KittyColdNose]

I'm not altogether certain, but don't see why any type of wood sawdust can be used as mulch/composted. The pine needles can be used to increase acidity if I remember rightly.

[KittyColdNose]

Why not use the shreddings as mulch Lynn? I am sure someone on here can advise which plants would like the needles

[bearded bloke]

I have not tried digging in or composting,but do use hardwood chippings as a mulch in the shrubbery (waits for Pythonites) & fruit cage,softwood chippings are excellent in the chook run having triple advantages,rain water drains rapidly,chooks can scratch about for bugs/grubs & after 2-3 years it is broken down enough to use as a "soil improver".

[wizzbang]

Ive not got any cheeky chicks.
I'll put it all in a pile till I find out what i've got growing in the gardens then and see what everybody on here tells me is best to mulch with it.
Ive not even tested the kitchen garden soil yet so don't know its properties.
Might be a good idea to do that asap!!
Lynne x

[rustylady]

Ive not got any cheeky chicks.


Lynne x

Yet..................