Expert: Greg - 11/19/2004

Question
Can you use fresh wood chips around your bedding plants, or do they need to be composted first?  I have heard that if using fresh from chipper it will take all the nutrients from the ground. Help.

Answer
Hello Dale

I assume the purpose of the Chips is to help with moisture retention, and regulation of soil temperatures.

As wood decomposes it needs Nitrogen to complete the process. That means it will take it from where ever it can obtain. This means, you could have a Nitrogen starved plant. You will need to add Nitrogen to the soil so both the Chips and the Plant get what they need. Make sure that the Soil the plants are in is well Fertilized, and keep an eye out for signs of Nitrogen Deficiency.

It would help if you could wait a Year to use fresh wood chips, but I can understand that is not always a choice.


I hope this helps, but if I have missed something here, please don't hesitate with a follow up


The best of luck
  Greg