In a few years, I have used wood chips in larger scale Putt Myra forest garden. At every appearance will then of course the question of whether the chips steals nitrogen and unless the soil acidification of the cover material. My standard response has been that we urinvattnar few times on the cover material at the beginning of the season, which should offset the losses and that we use almost exclusively wood from birch, who, like other chips from hardwood has no acidifying effect.
In connection with work on our book on perennial vegetables, where we recommend woodchips as a good mulch, This subject was raised again and this time I decided to find out a more fact-based answers. Fairly quickly I found an interesting review article from 2007 going through hundreds of studies that have investigated various coating materials (both organic and non-organic, like for example. markväv and plastic film) and their impact on both the environment and plants [1].
The article establishes that mulching with organic materials generally have very positive effect on water supply (a straw blanket in as little as 3,5 cm decreases e.g.. the evaporation of the whole 35% compared to bare soil) and reduce soil erosion and soil compaction. Moreover, stabilize soil temperature in the upper soil layers, which means that fine roots have a greater chance of survival. In the bare soil can also be established plants encounter chronic stress to fine roots can not handle the fluctuations between warm and cold which then usually occur. Dilute småplantors survival significantly improved if the ground around them is covered. And it states that carbon-rich material, as straw, peat moss or even sawdust, Thus material is considered to be nitrogen-stealing, have a positive impact on the nutritional content generally in the soil.
The benefits of organic mulch continues: they help plants to establish themselves, stimulate root growth, improving biomass production and keep weeds away. Diseases reduces, because the microorganisms that rapidly colonize mulch acts as an enhanced immune response against soil-borne plant diseases.
But where will the view from the wood chips or bark chips as mulch would steal nitrogen and acidify the soil? Probably it has to do with that there is an acidification when mulch is worked into the soil. The higher the proportion oförmultnad chips in the soil, the more phenolic acids formed, which has an acidifying effect and affect soil organisms negatively. Not composted mulch down, Nor are the problem and one study has even shown that the pH is higher in soil that is covered with wood chips from coniferous than in bare soil. The same applies to nitrogen theft. Composted chips are down, there may be zones in the soil with low nitrogen level, but the added material on the surface occurs kvävbrist only just in the boundary layer between the chip and ground, but established plants' roots are affected. This even has the advantage that fröogräs it more difficult to gain a foothold, then they can suffer from nitrogen deficiency just on the surface of the earth. The downside is that mulching with wood chips may not be the best idea in the cultivation of annual vegetables sown directly in the open.
The conclusion I draw from all this is that I will continue to use wood chips as mulch, and that next time I buy a load will not need to order the pure birch chips, but it may be a little anything in the mix. Furthermore, I will not have to feel guilty because I can not be bothered with cover 10 cm wood chips as recommended in some books, but the benefits can I take advantage of even when I was leaking pretty thin layers covering material.
Now I only paid from a source, which in itself felt right comprehensive, but if you have an eye on other studies that arrive at different conclusions, I am very grateful if you would write in the comments section below or email me at philipp@ihop.nu.
Literature
[1] Chalky-Scott, L., Impact of Mulches on Landscape Plants and the Environment – A Review. Journal of environmental horticulture., 25(4): p. 239-249, 2007.
Du har sækert redan sætt denna https://youtu.be/OiGof48XVCQ
Men den ær bra! 🙂
Vi har odlat med træflis i et par år. Flisen var alldeles før grov, men nu børjar det komma sig. Det bæsta ær ju att flisa sjælv och att det ær massa grønmassa i. Flis ær ju rætt så dyrt, så i fortsættningen kommer vi framføralt anvænda oss av halm och annat materiale som vi redan har hær på gården.
Tack før ett bra inlægg! 🙂
Bra tips att se till att urinera på flisen första växtsäson.
Understanding Roots av Roubert Kourik (2015), en fantastisk bra bok, har en lång genomgång av flistäckning. Bl.a. avvisar han via studier att gran- och tallflis skulle ha någon försurande effekt. These trees acidifies simply not the earth, so that they have defied as long. I can find references, etc. If you are interested in, is not here with me right now.
One thing you must be aware of, however, is to have a little air around the trunk of the newly planted trees. If the chips are located several centimeters up the stem, it can help “root crown disease” (a mushroom).
Many thanks! I have Kouriks book on my to-buy list, so I can check the references there since.
Please
Philipp
Hi,
nice post.
I wonder. Where do you buy wood chips, and at what price. I have had a thought that Eventually buy a flistuggare but would like to make a weighing over first. They are on the market flistuggaresom, How much does good varieties? As well as chips that the purchase cost and the purchases were usually able to be done. Sawmill?
Sebastian
Also wondering where to buy wood chips and what it costs? Fredrik
Great timing again, Philipp! We have a huge stack of chips lying, we thought that the soil cover woodland garden in the spring,. Now IF we, that it is a good idea! 🙂
You suggest that urinary waters, men nælde- (nettle-) or comfrey-water well is also an option, not?
I bought a chopper and running now everything brushwood and branches I get through it, and covers the material. works superbly, perhaps better than wood chips even as småkvistar contains the percentage-bark should be withheld some minerals and other. Is it something in the article about it? I'm thinking also of how it is if you cover with chipped spruce twigs, needles should provide some nitrogen supplements when they break down, but affect the pH value?
Good posts!
The term “Ramial Chipped Wood” is something that appeals to me when it comes odlingsmulch wood chips or mulch around perennials. Especially because it provides a direct use of coppicing of coppice and less developed trees. But it is also a good use for the lopping.
Are some research on the area by Canadian Laval University. Lemieux, G is a name. The ratio of C and N, together with the amount of P, K, As, Mg i cambium, to reach some type of optimum for enzymes degradation of lignin in trees at around 7cm, I understand. I have some of their creations digitally at interest.
Jean Pain is another RCW-buff. He demonstrates his use of wood chips along with annuals in “Another Kind of garden”, available online. He also cultivates cover with pine needles apparently.
Thanks Philipp for an interesting article back!
Have you read about “ramial wood chips”? ( http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic-research-page/Regenerating-Soils-with-Ramial-Chipped-Wood_vq4462.htm ) Think it is this is the best way to proceed with the woodchips. As I see it, it is best that the main part of the chip from hardwood.
I also wonder if it would be good to ferment chips with EM (bokashi) to get started förmultnandet. Shall perhaps experimentara the spring.
Good posts.
I also commented about the “Ramial Chipped Wood” yesterday but it fell some distance…
Summarized roughly as follows:
It works both as odlingsmulch or mulch around perennials, and is used simply by coppicing of coppice and less developed trees. It is also a good present-day use area at the pollarding of larger trees.
Are some research on the area by Canadian Laval University. Lemieux, G is the big name. The ratio of C and N, together with the amount of P, K, As, Mg i cambium, to reach some type of optimum for enzymes degradation of lignin in trees at around 7cm, I understand. I have some of their creations digitally at interest. Tell so,.
Jean Pain is a RCW-buff. He demonstrates his use of wood chips along with annuals in “Another Kind of garden”, available online. He also cultivates cover with pine needles apparently.
Have also heard that the pH would be adversely affected by the diligence coverage. Have a neighbor with a giant ligusterhäck I snatch and run down in an old chopper. It takes some time but is pretty nice job if you have a PTA good ear and a good audio book in the headphones for company. Also like the chips work well aesthetically in my discounts. It looks both neatly and game out at the same time.
Interesting article as well (for me at garden level) fits well with the concept, NO DIG GARDEN, but they have, however, multilayer…
Tiled (or other) to be added on top.
It is also interesting article Seppo referred to, from dirt doctor, there was, however, strongly dissuasive of conifers (and looked happy to book example, lind, ask, björk (gul?) et al, some more American hardwoods. The chips should not be stored (Perhaps most importantly with the book that attacked so quickly fungus?)
Another difference is also nermyllning 5 cm (I probably prefer to add a layer on top, Now if phenolic acids and some nitrogen loss resulting from nermyllning according to the article we comment)
The greatest nutrient exchange with branches around 7 cm (without green leaves)…according dirt doctor…should preferably not cut across…
If anyone experimented on, it would be exciting to read…
It’s my understanding that using fresh pine and spruce chips as mulch can be detrimental to plants because of the terpenes (resin) that they include. So if you want to use it, you should compost it for a couple of years and then it should be ok. I don’t have any links or studies about this, it’s just what I’ve understood from various sources.
Ps. Sorry about the english, it’s just faster for me to write.
It must be possible to cover with something other than fossil fuel-dependent wood chips. In a future of resource shortage of eg oil falls all over your concept. There is little cheating to just take the phone and order a load of wood chips to cover with.. Right pathetic, I think. you can do better.
Has anyone claimed that there are alternatives to chips? I also cover with straw, ensilage, leaf, small twigs, etc.. And if you read the posts on the establishment and conditioners I've written before, you can see that the coverage of dead organic matter is made only during the first few seasons in the forest garden, then there must be a living ground cover. But if you live completely independent of fossil fuels, please tell me how to do!
And, of. A small problem it is everything. But stay with that chip, stalk, silage and everything that comes from our fossil fuel dependency is a shortcut that is not going to work in the future at some larger farms. Things that are in place to cover the need to be preferable.. But how and with what without working themselves to death? You should be able to it better than me?
Collect leaves and twigs and such material is very labor intensive and time consuming, but perhaps the only in some cases. Switch grass with a scythe to cover with're shit time. I cover myself with composted fårskit on board and it is not so great. The idea perhaps is that all the gardens will be landscaped before the collapse is here and therefore use cheap energy before it is finished? For this concept is well thought to account for some of the food in the future.
Tjing
I often get the comment or question about Turpentine When people see our wood chip-covered crops.
http://www.skogssverige.se/jag-undrar-hur-stor-forlust-man-har-av-metanol-och-terpentin-vid-lagring-som-rundved-respektive-flis
Turpentine is volatile and the most disappear quite quickly. Like other available hydrocarbons.
Thanks for the link!
Very interesting this!
Last year I planted strawberry plants and covered with homemade chips around there plants (would not go, all said to me,). The chips had my hens been scratching around for a few weeks before I put it between the plants. This year I had to water the minimal, had great (GREAT!) harvesting and moreover easily able to take nice reefed plants now in the autumn plus I have not had to clean between my plants. I feel that it really keeps the moisture in the hill nicely and I also like that the worms pulls down lövresterna who gets in my own made chips. I have even put it over areas with rock-hard mud a couple of years before I planted perennial discounts because I feel that it loosens fine when the worms have something to work with. Plus, the chickens will go o scratching in these areas. I have 6 o chickens a rooster who love the chips and which rewards me with that shit in the country while enjoying themselves. All very unscientifically, but as long as it works o all have fun!
Insanely interesting reading you have here!
Have a nice autumn!
Line
Thanks for sharing, how fun! Good idea to include chickens in it all, may acquire such I also.
All's Well!
Very worthwhile to check out here, good reading!
Saw this ad: https://www.blocket.se/stockholm/Hyvelspan_69464913.htm?ca=11&w=1 , searched for cover with sawdust and then arrived here. Maybe someone is interested?
I just made chips nerklippta of large branches. It has become so much and wonder why if I somehow keep this until the spring or shall I immediately put out all the savings and assets.
I bit south like no snow but rain coming on wood pile..
I would probably wait to lay out the chips to the spring when the soil has become a little warm, chips insulates the right well and can make life on earth will start much later if you put it out now.
Thanks for the answer, and then I wonder how I keep chips until spring?
I usually store the chips in a pile located at ground cloth, so that there is a barrier between the chips and the earth, otherwise, it goes some lost. A tarp is certainly good also as a basis.
Thank you for your advice!
Ingrid
There are horse stables that use chips. Here you can often get free chips, because they have to pay to get the chips away run. When the chips contains horse manure.
greetings Beata
Can I cover my hydrangea bushes with chips become of firewood without getting ruined o nutrient-poor? To avoid weeds around?
You can do this if the chip size is not too small. Sawdust can clump together and form a lid that is impervious to water and air, and then it's not good.
Saw chalker-scott giving lectures on the tree days. I think she was talking about the fact that bark chips and its contents of wax can have a certain suffocating effect. What are your experiences about this?
Thanks for reading!
I didn't notice any difference, but we also cover the ground with magazines or some other weed barrier that separates the soil from the chips for at least one season. If you put the chips directly on the ground, such an effect can certainly occur, but the question of whether it is harmful to the tree or good because it keeps weeds away too?
Hi, Newspaper inks are not toxic nowadays?
It says a little more about this: https://xn--skogstrdgrden-hfbr.xn--stjrnsund-x2a.nu/pigmentfragan/
Got strawberries
and, Raspberries and potatoes with straw, Wood shavings and chopped twigs from the chicken coop covered and always had good results. Straw and woody materials were made
quickly processed by organisms living in the soil and had to be re-sprinkled at least 2-3 times during the season.
Hi, Can you use wood chips from willow trees??
Absolut! It just breaks down a little faster.
Hi!
I'm reading right now, with great retention, your book about Slogsträdgård and have a question.
We have taken down a few fir trees on the plot and since the arborists brought wood chips with them, we are now fine, fresh wood chips. Can we use it directly to plant in or does it need to be composted?
I was thinking of making a new bed with well manure and a layer of wood chips on top. (The starting ground we have is sandy moraine). However, I feel that it quickly got very hot inside the file pile and am wondering if the roots of the plants can be damaged by the heat in the rotting process. How thick a layer of chips do I dare to lay?
Warm greetings Camilla
Hi,
wonderful with chips in large quantities! It is fine to lay out fresh wood chips, a layer of around 8 cm will be perfect. Then the heat development will not be the same either.
All's Well! /Philipp
lovely – Many thanks – then I drive on!
Hi!
Do you have any experience with composting wood chips in a pile? Does it work?, how long does it take etc?
I thought I'd try it and have filled a m2 compartment in my compost with wood chips that I was going to pour urine on. This is because I don't have much access to other nitrogen-rich compost material to mix with.
I have previously put the chips from branches from felled trees and apple prunings and so on the paths in the garden area which I otherwise usually cover with grass clippings from my cemetery job. Been thinking that drt feels like the aisles are pure dirt factories but have also had huge problems with slugs and it feels like they especially like being in the wood chips. Hence the idea of composting the chips separately. .