Expert: Greg - 12/18/2005

Question
iv'e read somewhere that if you use lots of shredded wood for composting & or mulching the resulting process will result in a deficiency in your compost or soil, you have to add this item to regain a balence.........can you tell me what this is please.

Answer
Hello Sid

Yes this is True

As Wood Decomposes it needs Nitrogen to complete the proccess. It will take Nitorgen from anywhere it can get it, meaning the Soil. The end result will be a Nitrogen deficiency in the Soil.

In the Compost Pile this is not so much a problem as you can add Green Matter such as Grass Clippings to balance out the Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio, but if it is happening where you have plantings with Mulch over them, this can be a Concern. Adding a Slow release Nitrogen product will help balance out this problem. An Organic product such as Milorganite should do the trick here. Scratch the Soil to a depth of about 2" and add the product. Repeat every 4-6 months. Of course you should always do a soil test every 2-3 Years. This can be done through you local Cooperative Extention Service in the County where you live, it costs about 12 dollars, and is money well spent. They can tell you exactly how much Fertilizer to add to the Soil, and take the guess work out of it.


I hope this helps

Best Of Luck

   Greg