RE: [compost_tea] wood chips and compost

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:12:50 +0200

Chris;

Compost should be made from just about anything you can get for nothing.
Wood chips are great because they form a mulch and don't break down too
quickly- thereby protecting your tree or shrub's roots from the greatest
anti-microbial agent of all - the sun. So, use it to spread over an
application of compost and you'll get a lot of benefit - especially if you
have lots of evaporation. Soon you'll have lots of earthworms, nice friable
soil and a happy smile on your face.

Chips are also great in compost, especially as they break down so slowly.
Yes, most wood has allelopathy properties, but I wouldn't worry about it as
it soon breaks down. As they break down slowly they also tend to favour
fungal growth. It's a winner.

SS

 

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of sentosa48chris
Sent: 23 September 2011 23:21
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] wood chips and compost

 

  

I was wondering if anyone can help with information about the kinds of wood
chips most and least advantageous to composting. I have read that certain
kinds of freshly chipped wood is not good for composting because of the
anti-microbial agents that the fresh wood contains, for example pine and
walnut.

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the kinds of wood that need to
de-gas before composting? Or does anyone have this information themself?
Also, how long would pine, etc. need to de-gas for, before being able to
compost it? Thanks if anyone can help.

Chris.





Received on Sat Sep 24 2011 - 12:55:20 EDT

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