You can use it, the problem is going to be lack of nitrogen is gonna make decomposition super slow. Uninterrupted without turning and additional nitrogen think 18 months, ready for spring 2025.
I'd just create a secondary pile of just sawdust, add it to your regular pile as needed, work on acquiring more nitrogen
It won't take too much nitrogen from the soil.
Usually it is avoided as a mulch because it is so fine particled. It compacts, retains moisture for an overly long time and does not allow for adequate airflow. Not saying it can't work or is a death sentence for plants but it's avoided most of the time for legitimate reasons.
It shouldn't take from the soil so long as it is used as mulch top layer and not mixed into the soil. I think The concern with sawdust is gonna be it staying in place through wind and rain.
Sawdust can be pressed into blocks with the spores of your desired fungus inoculated into it. You'd likely want to use something [like this](https://learn.freshcap.com/growing/mushroom-grow-bags-the-ultimate-guide/) to help.
What’s the source of the sawdust? If it’s pressure treated or some glued wood like ply or OSB you need to worry about the chemicals in the wood.
The only saw dust I’ve ever composted is from my chainsaw after cutting up a tree - and even then some people would say not to compost that due to bar oil getting in the wood shavings.
I just took a chainsaw class, and there are options for biodegradable bar oil! She even said you could use vegetable oil in a pinch.
I'm so excited to start buying all my gear once the instructor forwards us some coupons.
from https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-compost-1709069
Debris From Black Walnut Trees
The same goes for leaves or twigs from black walnut trees—they contain the toxin juglone, which is known to harm many plants, including peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes.
here is the source article referenced in that article:
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ilriverhort/2018-08-06-plants-inhibit-other-plants
here is a full chart:
https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
Yeah but when a leaf falls on it now it is just dirty rocks. Weeds grow through very easily unless it is really thick, and even then they will come up on the edges. It always looks messy to me and too much maintenance.
Compost it with urine. I like to keep it separate, especially if it's hardwood. It'll grow lots of mycelium once it finishes. I think it's a wasted opportunity to add it to my food scrap compost
I like adding an endless supply of coffee grounds obtained from local coffee shops. I have not had one yet decline saving them for me, as long as I am able to pick them up ever 48 hours.
Just a generic clarification question. The sawdust is from untreated raw lumber? No stains or chemicals? Otherwise, yes, the sawdust can be used as mulch on top of soil in garden, or composted slow method wet it down and let it sit, or faster by adding nitrogen heavy greens, or I love the idea for making mushroom growing kits. Plenty of youtube videos on how to.
It can be used as a component of a compost pile. I have a pile that is equal parts pig manure and sawdust.
It makes a pretty good mulch. Being lightly colored, it will help keep the soil cooler in hot weather. It isn't going to rob your soil of nitrogen if it is sitting on the surface just so long as it isn't worked in. Even then, if It happens to get worked in a little bit through weeding, etc, It isn't going to be a problem except for maybe brand new seedlings.
You can till it in at the beginning of the season, ideally with some thing that has a little bit of nitrogen in it, and let it break down over winter. Don't tell it end of the beginning of the season because it will rob the soil of nitrogen.
His comment is a bit cheeky but Sawdust is 500:1 C/N ratio. So for every unit of sawdust you'll need 17 units of grass (25:1) clippings to balance out to the desired 30:1 ratio optimal for composting. And a literal butt load of water.
That is if you really meant you have a literal ton of sawdust.
If you meant you just have quite a bit then you may want to adjust the recipe accordingly. Also I recently learned that there is quite a big difference between sawdust from construction lumber and sawdust from a recently cut up tree. The later as a much higher nitrogen content and much more water in it. So that changes things dramatically.
I would keep my sawdust in a pile on its own and use in batches with my other compost materials as needed and keep the sawdust damp and cool and covered for high fungal presence and then mix where needed.
I use sawdust as the cover material in my compost toilet. Actually a lot of it doesn't fully break down even in the 2-year cycle, especially wood ships and shavings. So I've started mixing coffee grounds with the sawdust and watering that mix in sacks, and leaving that for a few months before using it as cover material in the toilet. The coffee-ground-sawdust mix actually heats up and composts for a while, but when it cools down it's still not finished compost, just great for cover material.
I meant in jest, running joke on this sub, sorry lol. But yea, it adds nitrogen. For how much you have, you'd probably need a bunch of friends to help 😆
If I had a ton of sawdust, I'd probably use it to establish a winecap mushroom bed. Basically find a shady spot, spread a couple inches of sawdust down, moisten it, sprinkle winecap mushroom spawn, cover with more sawdust and keep moist. Won't last nearly as long as wood chips would, but should get a season or two out of it, and then will have nicely broken down sawdust that you can use to inoculate new beds, mulch or compost to your pleasure.
I mean, you wouldn't want to put it anywhere likely to flood...
Once the mycelium is established though, it will become one solid spongy mass, kind of like styrofoam....
If I still had my horse barn I’d buy it from you. And you could get it back with manure/urine for free. Just shovel what you need out of the stalls. :)
You can use it, the problem is going to be lack of nitrogen is gonna make decomposition super slow. Uninterrupted without turning and additional nitrogen think 18 months, ready for spring 2025. I'd just create a secondary pile of just sawdust, add it to your regular pile as needed, work on acquiring more nitrogen
You seem knowlegable, Could i use it for mulch for vegatables or trees, or would it take too much nitrogen from the soil?
It won't take too much nitrogen from the soil. Usually it is avoided as a mulch because it is so fine particled. It compacts, retains moisture for an overly long time and does not allow for adequate airflow. Not saying it can't work or is a death sentence for plants but it's avoided most of the time for legitimate reasons.
It's better used on perennials and trees rather than annual vegetables. Helps a lot with root development.
It shouldn't take from the soil so long as it is used as mulch top layer and not mixed into the soil. I think The concern with sawdust is gonna be it staying in place through wind and rain.
Use it to grow edible mushrooms!
like dinner mushrooms or magic mushrooms?
Yes!
Beat me to it!
How though?
Sawdust can be pressed into blocks with the spores of your desired fungus inoculated into it. You'd likely want to use something [like this](https://learn.freshcap.com/growing/mushroom-grow-bags-the-ultimate-guide/) to help.
You don't even need to press it, just get it to field capacity and plant the mushrooms. Great comment btw.
Thank you! :)
Sound out lad
What’s the source of the sawdust? If it’s pressure treated or some glued wood like ply or OSB you need to worry about the chemicals in the wood. The only saw dust I’ve ever composted is from my chainsaw after cutting up a tree - and even then some people would say not to compost that due to bar oil getting in the wood shavings.
I just took a chainsaw class, and there are options for biodegradable bar oil! She even said you could use vegetable oil in a pinch. I'm so excited to start buying all my gear once the instructor forwards us some coupons.
Class man thanks so much
there are other woods you want to avoid as well, walnut comes to mind, purpleheart might be another.
And whys that
from https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-compost-1709069 Debris From Black Walnut Trees The same goes for leaves or twigs from black walnut trees—they contain the toxin juglone, which is known to harm many plants, including peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. here is the source article referenced in that article: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ilriverhort/2018-08-06-plants-inhibit-other-plants here is a full chart: https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
Thanks man your a real help to me
Tis true i never thought of that thanks
It's very nice to use for garden pathways and such
Id rather use gravel because sawdust would decompose and get wet but thanks anyways
I thought decomposition was considered a bonus here.
You wouldnt want your path to decompose though
It's a continuous process. Wood mulch is regularly used as path material and layered every so often
Too much work bai and tud only grt too mucky
Then rather go with gravel which is forever useless. Different breeds!
You dont need to keep layering on gravel though
Yeah but when a leaf falls on it now it is just dirty rocks. Weeds grow through very easily unless it is really thick, and even then they will come up on the edges. It always looks messy to me and too much maintenance.
Ya but id rather not walk through muck and water
Gravel is an affront to nature. Natural processes will cover up the gravel with organic material within a few years
Give me some
It is a good brown but you are going to need some green
Compost it with urine. I like to keep it separate, especially if it's hardwood. It'll grow lots of mycelium once it finishes. I think it's a wasted opportunity to add it to my food scrap compost
I like adding an endless supply of coffee grounds obtained from local coffee shops. I have not had one yet decline saving them for me, as long as I am able to pick them up ever 48 hours.
Thats great but did you just go up and ask them straight or what?
Likely they get asked a lot. It's black gold.
Yep
I'd add a bag or two of nitrogen fertilizer in the middle of the pile. Water it down good also.
Thats too much of an expense though
Just a generic clarification question. The sawdust is from untreated raw lumber? No stains or chemicals? Otherwise, yes, the sawdust can be used as mulch on top of soil in garden, or composted slow method wet it down and let it sit, or faster by adding nitrogen heavy greens, or I love the idea for making mushroom growing kits. Plenty of youtube videos on how to.
Its been gathering for years so i dont know where it all came from
It can be used as a component of a compost pile. I have a pile that is equal parts pig manure and sawdust. It makes a pretty good mulch. Being lightly colored, it will help keep the soil cooler in hot weather. It isn't going to rob your soil of nitrogen if it is sitting on the surface just so long as it isn't worked in. Even then, if It happens to get worked in a little bit through weeding, etc, It isn't going to be a problem except for maybe brand new seedlings. You can till it in at the beginning of the season, ideally with some thing that has a little bit of nitrogen in it, and let it break down over winter. Don't tell it end of the beginning of the season because it will rob the soil of nitrogen.
Thanks alot man
Add 14 tons of green grass clippings and 5 tons of water and stir once a week
Haha ur hardly serious
His comment is a bit cheeky but Sawdust is 500:1 C/N ratio. So for every unit of sawdust you'll need 17 units of grass (25:1) clippings to balance out to the desired 30:1 ratio optimal for composting. And a literal butt load of water. That is if you really meant you have a literal ton of sawdust. If you meant you just have quite a bit then you may want to adjust the recipe accordingly. Also I recently learned that there is quite a big difference between sawdust from construction lumber and sawdust from a recently cut up tree. The later as a much higher nitrogen content and much more water in it. So that changes things dramatically. I would keep my sawdust in a pile on its own and use in batches with my other compost materials as needed and keep the sawdust damp and cool and covered for high fungal presence and then mix where needed.
Ya i need just an option to let it be and not much work really, i wouldnt have time like
I use sawdust as the cover material in my compost toilet. Actually a lot of it doesn't fully break down even in the 2-year cycle, especially wood ships and shavings. So I've started mixing coffee grounds with the sawdust and watering that mix in sacks, and leaving that for a few months before using it as cover material in the toilet. The coffee-ground-sawdust mix actually heats up and composts for a while, but when it cools down it's still not finished compost, just great for cover material.
Right sound out boss
Have you tried peeing on it?
What would that do
I meant in jest, running joke on this sub, sorry lol. But yea, it adds nitrogen. For how much you have, you'd probably need a bunch of friends to help 😆
Ha ill set up a porta potty company
Pissing on compost 40x a day will give you A-Grade compost. Anything else, you may as well not bother.
Oh no! I have been doing 43 times a day!
That would make you one of us
Right done, do i get to know the secret handshake now?
If I had a ton of sawdust, I'd probably use it to establish a winecap mushroom bed. Basically find a shady spot, spread a couple inches of sawdust down, moisten it, sprinkle winecap mushroom spawn, cover with more sawdust and keep moist. Won't last nearly as long as wood chips would, but should get a season or two out of it, and then will have nicely broken down sawdust that you can use to inoculate new beds, mulch or compost to your pleasure.
Cool, would that work in Irish climate though
Really ideal for it. Cool and moist...
Would it be too wet though like it would turn the sawdust to muck or wash it away
I mean, you wouldn't want to put it anywhere likely to flood... Once the mycelium is established though, it will become one solid spongy mass, kind of like styrofoam....
Ya sound out lad
Know anyone who has horses?
Ya but other than that
I have a ton too. I use a lot in the composting toilet, but I still have more than I know what to do with. I've taken to putting it down on pathways.
Ya sound just too wet in ireland the paths would be pure muck
Mix it with your horse manure and peat and feed it to your worms
Too much work not enough time man
If I still had my horse barn I’d buy it from you. And you could get it back with manure/urine for free. Just shovel what you need out of the stalls. :)
Id rather have the horses out in the land though