MGC’s Tip of the Month – Sawdust as Mulch

Sawdust as Mulch or Groundcover

Sawdust is plentiful and free or cheap in any place that cuts wood. How can you use it in your garden?
Jungle gardeners find that rich soil results from rotted trees and fallen limbs. Thus, building garden soil by using wood chips or sawdust can promise huge, long-term results.  Short term,  a year or two, it can be a great weed deterrent in areas where you do not want plants, being careful not to use it in direct contact with growing plants you are nurturing.
Woody materials are high in carbon and cellulose and need nitrogen to decompose. If you mix sawdust or wood chips directly into your soil, you can deplete the area of nitrogen and for a year or so the area will not be useable for a garden. If you cover the area with sawdust, the sawdust will keep out all plant growth for up to two years.  Later, when the wood materials break down, you have a rich fertile soil.
A few months after putting down a layer of chips, you will find a fertile soil developing beneath.  Be sure the wood chips are decomposed before planting, and you may even need to add nitrogen

Sawdust is great for garden paths and areas where you want to keep out weeds. A path of sawdust feels like a spongy carpet and will keep out all weed and plant growth for at least two years. After that, you need to replace the sawdust or use the now enriched area for planting. Remember, if you place sawdust in an area where you already have plants and trees, keep it well away from the plantings or you will harm existing plants.