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Vegetable Gardening

Particulate Cedar Shavings?

14 years ago

I have some oak/cedar particulate shavings from some lumber I had cut. I was wondering if I can use this in the garden. I have read somewhere that says cedar is phytotoxic. Anyways I think it could help break up some soil in my raised beds, as long as it doesnt harm anything. I want to use it if i can . thanks,

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Comments (3)

justaguy2
14 years ago
Uncomposted wood will tie up nitrogen as it decomposes. I am not certain on the cedar being phytotoxic. It is resistant to being rotted, but I don't *think* it will directly harm plants. It and the oak will tie up N if mixed into the soil though.
denninmi
14 years ago
Cedar sawdust is fabulous for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas. My father was an avid amateur woodworker and used a lot of it when he was alive. I used to take big garbagecans full of cedar sawdust and cedar shavings for my blueberries. They thrived. Made the best-smelling mulch around.

I'm sure cedar wouldn't be phytotoxic like, say, walnut, since they sell TONS of cedar mulch.
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No soil, that is small parts of the barks. If I add any fine partical it will flow to the bottum and cause a perched water table. That size bark is good to use by itself. I use this as a soilless medium in 2 gal containers with a hydroponic fertilizer program. I would never add any fine partical to this ever. Homehydro, Thanks for the tip on the perlite, lucky me I have some now. Don't you use hydrogen peroxide? I do at all times, every water and fertilize I put H2o2 in the water before my nutes. When using H2o2 if you smell the roots, they will smell life fresh radishes. Compaired to the brown roots in a none treated system. Please look up how to use it all time in your system because once you see you will never stop using it. I am all drain to waste, no pumps so fine particals that come of the bark will not matter. I have only tapla to thank over in the container forum for inspiring me. Now I am waiting for the same place I got it to get more of the mulch in.
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We use locally produced pellet fuel. It puffs into sawdust when it gets wet. Remove feces and put in trash. Compost the urine-soaked sawdust. Works very well. The garden is loving the compost. We use the sifting litter tray so the sawdust can be sifted to the bottom of the tray for disposal. http://www.amazon.com/Hometec-Lift-Sift-Litter-Tray/dp/B000X93CSA/ But don't follow the pan instructions. You need the sifter in the pan ALL the time. http://www.amazon.com/review/R2ZSNC59DMW4LR/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000X93CSA&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=2619533011&store=pet-supplies#wasThisHelpful
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ahn-dray-ah
14 years ago
When I took my Master Gardener training in RI, I was too embarrassed to admit I added wood mulch to my soil to loosen it up - till the instructors offered that that was what they did. No details on which woods were better or worse - I used mostly pine in NY and in NM I can only get cedar - it's just a matter of what I can get in the home centers. Soil is quite alkaline here, and no adverse reactions to the cedar.

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