Using wood chips in the garden is a pretty common tactic. Mulching helps enrich the soil and prevent the evaporation of water that would quickly occur with bare soil. Composting wood chips can be an effective and rewarding way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Wood chips are an excellent material for composting as they are high in carbon, act as a great source of organic matter, and are widely available. We will discuss the benefits of composting with wood chips, the steps to creating your own compost pile, and some tips for getting the most out of your compost.
Types Of Wood Chips That Compost
Wood chips are a great addition to compost heaps, as they provide a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio that encourages the breakdown of other organic matter. Softwoods such as pine and cedar are the most commonly used types of wood chips, due to their high carbon content. Hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple are also great for composting, as they provide a high nitrogen content. It’s important to avoid using treated wood chips as the chemicals used in the treatment process can be harmful to both the soil and the plants.
Some common types of wood chip mulch that can be easily composted include:
- Apple Wood Chips
- Hickory Wood Chips
- Maple Wood Chips
- Pecan Wood Chips
- Cherry Wood Chips
- Mesquite Wood Chips
- Oak Wood Chips
- Walnut Wood Chips
- Alder Wood Chips
- Birch Wood Chips
Preparing To Compost
To prepare wood chips for composting, begin by collecting fresh wood chips and breaking them down into small pieces – as small as you can. Smaller pieces will decompose faster. Spread the pieces out into a single layer and allow them to dry in the sun for at least one week. During this time, turn the pieces over periodically to ensure even drying. Once the wood chips are completely dry, they should be ready to be added to your compost heap or bin. Make sure to add them in thin layers and mix them in with other compostable materials such as food scraps, grass clippings, and shredded paper. With the right preparation, wood chips can be an invaluable addition to your compost.
Drying wood chips is an important step in the composting process. The moisture in freshly cut wood chips can cause the compost pile to become anaerobic, meaning it will lack the oxygen necessary for healthy microbial growth and decomposition. Drying the wood chips decreases the moisture content, making them easier to work with when building the compost pile. Additionally, the lower moisture content reduces the chance of unwanted pathogens developing in the compost pile. The drying process also helps to speed up the composting process, as the decreased moisture level allows the microbes to break down the wood chips faster.
Why Wood Chips?
Wood chips compost is an effective and efficient way of creating nutrient-rich compost for use in gardens and landscapes. Wood chips add carbon to the compost, which helps to balance the nitrogen content of other organic materials. The wood chips break down easily and quickly, allowing for rapid composting. They also provide a habitat for beneficial microbes, helping to create an environment that encourages the decomposition process. Wood chips also reduce the risk of compaction, providing an open structure for the compost to aerate and prevent anaerobic conditions. Wood chips are a great addition to a compost pile, and can provide an abundance of nutrients for soil and plants.