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Re: cedar mulch
zebra@apci.net wrote:
>
>I have some fresh cut cedar mulch from the city township....is this ok
>to use around my trees, plants, vegetable and flower gardens?
>
>thanks in advance,
>zebra@apci.net
>
Generally freash sawdust is a bad idea. It can get heated up pretty
hot from fermentation and other decay activity, if you apply it
thickly. I have heard that it binds up nitrogen in the soill while it
is decaying.
For a while my neighbor was using cedar chips as horse bedding (Must
have been fiercsomely expensive. It did not decay fast at all. I
think it retarded the whole composting proocess. This is due to its
anti decay properties, the ones that make it so good for fence posts
and such. Eventually it will compost. Decay always wins.
You could always get a bunch and try it like you would stain on
woodwork: put some in an unobtrusive place and see if you like what
it does. You could always pile it up and wait or mix it into your
compost in small quantitiies...
Maybe someone who really knows something will answer.
Best to you,
Mike
Gardening environment: USDA Zone 7/8 (cusp). East central NC.
Soil: Sandy and infertile w/layers of clay. Areas of rock.
Last frost date 15APR. (18APR97 That was a dirty trick!)
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