Today I’d like to talk about an often debated topic – does wood chip mulch tie up nitrogen in the soil and increase nitrogen fertilization requirements?
“The Truth About Garden Remedies” by Jeff Gillman: http://amzn.to/2ahkgtq
“Decoding Gardening Advice” by Jeff Gillman: http://amzn.to/2ahkj8z
“The Truth About Organic Gardening” by Jeff Gillman: http://amzn.to/2aN5iKc
“The Informed Gardener” by Linda Chalker-Scott: http://amzn.to/2ahkjFJ
“The Informed Gardener Blooms Again” by Linda Chalker-Scott: http://amzn.to/2a7lK6x
This debate arises from the fact that bacteria need nitrogen to decompose organic matter. And because wood chips have a high carbon to nitrogen ratio, there’s concern that there isn’t sufficient nitrogen in wood chips themselves for decomposition to take place, and bacteria will utilize nitrogen in the soil instead.
OYR is all about growing a lot of food on a little land using sustainable organic methods, while keeping costs and labor at a minimum. Emphasis is placed on improving soil quality with compost, mulch, and compost tea. No store-bought fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, compost activators, etc.
are used.
Sources:
1) “Decoding Gardening Advice” by Jeff Gillman. http://www.amazon.com/Decoding-Gardening-Advice-Science-Recommendations/dp/1604692200/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420567539&sr=1-1&keywords=decoding+gardening+advice
2) “Wood Chip Mulch: Landscape Boon or Bane” by Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott. http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/horticultural%20myths_files/Myths/magazine%20pdfs/Woodchips.pdf
Featured video:
“Giant Sunchokes Grown in Free Wood Chip & Coffee Ground Compost (Jerusalem Artichokes)”
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