22-08-2003, 08:42 AM
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Oak sawdust for compost?
writes:
Is it OK to put oak sawdust on my garden this fall or spring and till it
in?
I heard oak has tannic acid in it. Would that hurt it?
Thanks
Unfortunately, my garden was mostly covered with sawdust this year instead
of horse manure. I will *never* do it again! This was by accident . . .
it was hauled soaking wet and the person loading it thought it was well
rotted horse manure (and it was hauled and unloaded in the rain also). I
should have realized even before it started to dry out since there were
few worms in it. (The horse manure I usually get is filled with
earthworms, hundreds/thousands in every large wheelbarrowful.)
It brought in new weeds which is distressing since I'd pretty much gotten
the weeds under control in the past four years with just the manure. (It
had been out in a pasture for years, hence the weeds.) It also "sheds" the
water and water does not soak in thoroughly where it initially is dropped
(either by soaker, drip or sprinkler). It, of course, did *not* decompose
over the summer months as the horse manure does.
Because it came late this year, the garden was all rototilled before it
was hauled which aggravated the situation and contributed greatly to the
problems.
Would I let it happen again? Not no, but 7734 no! I'd rather have relied
on whatever was left from past years than let this have happened.
My obviously unbiased sarcasm here answer would be, don't do it! What
went on my garden would have been Douglas Fir which is likely benign which
oak may or may not be. It might work very well in other situations and
unlikely would have worked better had it been tilled in as you plan to do.
As always, your experience could well be entirely different, for many
reasons. Please keep us posted as to the results; I hope your story is a
happy one.
Glenna
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