Saw Dust is my Savior

Using saw dust in the walkways of a vegetable garden helps keep the soil cool, weeds to a bare minimum, and helps retain moisture. It also adds a clean, organized, and esthetically pleasing look to your space.

Years ago, after having mulched my blueberry row with a thick layer of fresh sawdust, I read an article saying how toxic it was to use in such a way. The internet and all the professional advice I could find at the time said it would "steal nitrogen from the soil and kill the plants", "it would pack down tightly preventing water from reaching the soil", and "you risk the possibility of introducing toxic chemicals or natural plant inhibiting compounds into the soil". I panicked! Immediately, I grabbed my rake and went out to the garden, removing every trace of sawdust. I had nowhere to put it so I ended up mulching around our compost bins. I thought, "Surely, this will kill all the weeds and grass keeping the space tidy".

Not so.

Though weed seeds didn't germinate, keeping it free from unwanted plant growth, the grass patches that were already present began to flourish. The color, size, and health of which, improved greatly. No yellow coloring in the leaves. No signs of malnutrition. Just a more vibrant, darker green-colored patch of fescue. "Hmmmm? Interesting", I thought.

A couple years after this experience, I decided to use sawdust once again in my veggie garden. After tilling, sectioning off rows and planting seedlings, I procured a yard of sawdust and thickly mulched the walkways in between each crop row. Over the course of the summer, never once did I have a problem with nitrogen deficiency, dry soil, or compacting issues with the mulch. In fact, my experience was quite the opposite. The soil stayed exceptionally moist and cool even in mid-summer, the weeds were practically non-existent (the ones that did appear could be pulled out by the roots with my pinky finger), and though the sawdust did have a crusty feel after a few rainfalls it didn't at all deter water from penetrating into the ground beneath. Oh, and the amount of worms we attracted were unmatched. Big, FAT worms...everywhere. You want this. Worms are a beautiful sign of health and mineral presence in the soil.

The greatest surprise of the season, however, was the rogue Bok Choy seedling from the previous summer that germinated near my asparagus patch. This little guy woke up, pushed through the thick layer of sawdust, and grew into the healthiest, most beautiful Bok Choy I had ever had in my garden. Not deterred by the "nitrogen-stealing acidic mulch" that supposedly would kill it. I was amazed! And, in my humble opinion, a little bit smug over my revelation. The whole world was attempting to warn me against using this wonderful natural by-product and I just discovered it was a lie.

Another amazing use of sawdust, from my experience years ago, is using it as a compost in your yard through the summer or in the fall. Raking a thin 1/2" layer over your grass will protect the roots from overheating, keeping it from drying out during the hottest months, keeping it greener and more enviable. It also will compost in-place every time you mow. The grass clippings (nitrogen) will mix with the sawdust (carbon), which allows the composting process to happen slowly and naturally feeding your lawn with each and every watering. This process will only work if you have a mulching lawnmower and haven't planned on spreading grass seed that year.

With all the benefits there is one consideration. You NEVER want to till sawdust, or any raw wood product into the soil. If you do, your soil with be useless for 1-2 years. The carbon will steal every ounce of nitrogen to assist in decomposing the material. Always leave it on the surface as a covering. It will breakdown slowly, naturally, as the microbiology beneath consumes it turning into the richest, healthiest compost.

In the end, sawdust easily became my best friend and has since been my favorite mulch specifically for my vegetable garden and berry plants. It has out-performed my previous uses of raw woodchips (which I still use sometimes) and the mixture of organic grass clippings with fall leaves (which I also still use at times). It is easily attainable if you live near a mill and is often only $15-$20 for a yard, which fills the back of our pickup truck. Don't forget to bring a tarp and straps to secure or you'll have an empty truck bed by the time you get home. Ask me how I know...

Consider using this amazing organic option in your garden next summer and I believe you, too, will profess to the many benefits sawdust provides. Ultimately, you may decide against it. But I will always claim sawdust as my savior.

From my Green Thumb to Yours,

Janelle