Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

Pine needles and bark can inhibit germination, correct? Would cedar have a
similar effect?

paul tradingpost@lobo.net

Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication,
and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to
a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.
-   Author Unknown

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 11/22/2006 at 2:19 PM Harvey Ussery wrote:

>>
>> We've been using cedar chips in our chicken coops, since it smells nice
>and 
>> helps keep the bugs down. But I've read that it's pretty much useless as
>a 
>> compost ingredient. Should I give up on it and go back to straw? We do
>have 
>> access to copious fresh cow manure thanks to our new Dexter heifer,
>Stella. 
>> Would the cedar play nice if mixed with fresh poops?
>>
>> --Joanna
>I've read recommendations against the use of chips of aromatic woods 
>like cedar for deep litter/bedding, not sure at the moment whether bec 
>as you point out it resists breakdown later, or actual deleterious 
>effects for the livestock.
>
>How about using the cedar chips as mulch on permanent paths anywhere in 
>the homestead? The very fact that they resist breakdown would actually 
>be a plus there.
>
>These days, I'm on the lookout for *all* org materials sources, am using 
>more chips, espec as said on permanent paths, also in establ'ng "kill 
>mulches" where I'm going to plant trees/shrubs.
>
>~Harvey
>www.themodernhomestead.us
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