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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: zoro on November 18, 2006, 14:55:39

Title: Oak sawdust
Post by: zoro on November 18, 2006, 14:55:39

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

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: cornykev on November 18, 2006, 15:33:23

:) 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.

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: tim on November 18, 2006, 16:38:01

Start a smokery?

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: supersprout on November 18, 2006, 16:55:47

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!

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 18, 2006, 19:24:02

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.

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: Si on November 19, 2006, 02:02:22

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.

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: artichoke on November 19, 2006, 17:41:10

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.

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 19, 2006, 19:01:21

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

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: supersprout on November 19, 2006, 21:10:14

Quote from: artichoke on November 19, 2006, 17:41:10

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

Title: Re: Oak sawdust
Post by: Merry Tiller on November 19, 2006, 21:30:23

Any sawdust = bad for soil :(