Sawdust As A Soil Builder

[freedhardwoods]

About 25 years ago, after building my house, I had a small area about 30'x30' that ended up with some of the basement clay subsoil on it. This dirt was so bad, even weeds wouldn't grow after 2 years.

I was working at a sawmill at the time and had access to all the free sawdust I wanted. I brought home a dump truck load and put it on about 6" or 7" thick. I scattered about 30 lbs of urea on top and ran the tiller over it a few passes. I tilled it every month or two and did plant a garden there a year later.

The plants didn't do the greatest that first year, but the following year and ever since it has been a very productive little patch.

I've been a big fan of improving soil with sawdust ever since. I till in an inch or two every few years to all my garden space.

 

[digitS']

Are soil tests involved in this, @freedhardwoods ? What kind of trees does this sawdust come from?

We did the same thing in the rose greenhouse where I used to work. However, soil testing was done regularly through the year. Even plant tissue was tested. Fertilizer was applied both with the sawdust and in irrigation water.

The sawdust was cedar. The idea was to improve soil tilth over a long time period.

Steve

 

[freedhardwoods]

I know soil testing would be a good idea, but I haven't done it.

Because the mills where I get it are small, there is usually 2 or 3 kinds mixed together. I try to get as much poplar as I can. Maple and Ash are ok, but take longer to rot. I try to avoid Red Oak. It is relatively high in acid.

It has made an incredible difference in my garden soil. I took my tiller into the field beside me for a trial run after working on it and it was like tilling concrete compared to my garden.

 

[canesisters]

That's what I did (sort of). I took a little patch of lawn, dumped a LOT of sawdust from a friend's cabinet shop on it, mixed in some bunny/chicken/donkey poo and grew a nice little garden.

sawdust/poo pile


little garden (last year's)


Year 2 in the same spot did pretty well again and I've got a 2nd pile going next to it.

 

[Nyboy]

Where can I get sawdust?

 

[canesisters]

If you can find a place near you that is processing trucks into stripped, trimmed logs - that would be ideal. "Raw" sawdust composts down much faster - but those are often pine.
I get mine from a cabinet shop so it's from processed/dried lumber and it does not like to break down all that much. I have to almost force it to get going.
Keep an eye out for crews doing tree work around power lines and ask them where they're disposing of the chips. If you're close by, they'd be just as happy to dump them in your yard as anywhere else.
I have a friend who just widened his driveway from a barely passable path to an almost 2-lane gravel road with several feet on each side. He's got PILES of branches and logs. He's starting to chip up everything that will fit into the chipper and I've told him that I will be there as often as I can to haul all that much away for him.

 

[freedhardwoods]

I don't know any specifics for your area. Anywhere that cuts or resizes lumber will have it - sawmill, moulding mill, cabinet shop, etc.

Edit - There is a big difference in sawdust and wood chips. Lots of info. No time right now.

 

[freedhardwoods]

That's what I did (sort of). I took a little patch of lawn, dumped a LOT of sawdust from a friend's cabinet shop on it, mixed in some bunny/chicken/donkey poo and grew a nice little garden.

sawdust/poo pile
View attachment 4391

little garden (last year's)
View attachment 4393

Year 2 in the same spot did pretty well again and I've got a 2nd pile going next to it.

It looks good. I'm interested in more details on your situation.

 

[so lucky]

There is a little saw mill near my home. I just happened to notice a very dark pile of sawdust there a couple of days ago, and thought--"hey, I need to see if they will let me load up a pick-up with that rotting stuff!"
Guess I need to investigate to see what kind of wood it is.

 

[baymule]

@Nyboy it would be great if you can find a source of sawdust to go along with your possible truck loads of cow manure. I think your fruit tree orchard would be well on it's way to becoming a reality!