Subject: Re: Wood shavings ... best use?
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@flash.net>
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 20:43:36 -0700
Message-ID: <MOD$970809.17653@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Dan Sterner wrote regarding using raw sawdust or woodchips as a mulch:
> Wouldn't the nitrogen simply be borrowed rather than lost anyway? I
> know you need nitrogen to build the process that decays the wood but I
> would think that as it decayed any borrowed nitrogen would be returned
> to the soil. If that's true wouldn't regular use of wood mulch find a
> balance after the first drop in nitrogen?
It takes about 15 parts of carbon and 1 part of nitrogen to build the
process
that decays or decomposes wood. The nitrogen "borrowed" from the soil does
indeed return to the soil but the process is on-going. As long as there is
high carbon / low nitrogen wood to compost, the process continues to
"borrow"
nitrogen as fast as it "pays it back". Supplemental nitrogen from a
nitrogen
rich source is needed to correct the deficit.
Bill