Topic: Oak sawdust

[zoro]

Hi can anyone advise me . I have been offered as much oak sawdust as i want .
Can i add to raised beds with manure, sand ,homemade compost + top soil ?
Can i add to compost bin ? Any other ideas ? ..or would it attract more woodlice etc .....
Read somewhere that sawdust uses up nitrogen in the soil but that can be addessed.....

Thanks Zoro

[cornykev]

:) Hi Zoro, sawdust should be OK if you do as you say and mix it with soil and in the compost a bit at a time. If its wood chips it takes nitrogen out of the soil because it takes so long to break down but dust should be OK. It it also useful for storing carrots,parsnips and beetroot.   ;D ;D

                   May the corn be with you.

[tim]

Start a smokery?

[supersprout]

Seconded, lovely for storing your veggies in a clamp like kev say ::)
Ruth Stout (mulching guru) used to mulch her rasps with neat sawdust and said they throve!

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you're using it as mulch, be aware that it eats nitrogen as it decays, before putting it back later. If you're planting something that needs the nitrogen, mix it with grass cuttings, or pee on it a few times and give it a few months. If you're into barbecues, a handful on the coals will give the food a lovely smoked taste.

[Si]

It can cause some soil acidification due to the release of organic acids, hence it is used as a mulch around blueberries. If used just as a mulch, however, it can prevent some moisture from percolating into the soil.

[artichoke]

Any thoughts about willow sawdust? I can take as much coarse willow woodchippings from nearby factory (for paths) as I want, and they have plenty of sawdust, too.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It might rot down a bit quicker than oak, but sawdust is sawdust. Use it, if it's free from nasty wood treatments.

[supersprout]

Any thoughts about willow sawdust? I can take as much coarse willow woodchippings from nearby factory (for paths) as I want, and they have plenty of sawdust, too.

Green with envy here! ;D

[Merry Tiller]

Any sawdust = bad for soil :(