North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Road's End Farm <organic87@frontiernet.net>]

On Jan 7, 2017, at 11:36 AM, Lee Reich wrote:

> Just a short comment on Rivka’s last paragraph. Wood chips are relatively 
> high in carbon with respect to nitrogen, so will temporarily tie up 
> nitrogen — but only if mixed into the soil. Laid on top of the ground, 
> breakdown is gradual, and at the interface of the mulch and the soil. A 
> dynamic equilibrium then exists where tie up of nitrogen is offset by its 
> slow re-release into the soil. This is not just theory; I’ve used wood 
> chips as mulch for decades, always with good results, and have talked to 
> others with similar experiences. The same could even be said for sawdust, 
> which I’ve also occasionally used as mulch.

Thanks for adding that clarification, Lee. As I understand that, that's quite 
true. I was thinking of the wood (probably chipped) being mixed into the 
planting holes during planting, and/or being thought of as immediately 
remediating any soil problems.


On Jan 7, 2017, at 11:57 AM, Steven Covacci wrote:

> Would the effect of ash wood raining the pH
> be permanent, or does this effect dissipate?

Rather like the lime: it can be long-lasting, but will eventually dissipate.

I wouldn't keep applying wood ash to the same small patch year after year -- 
I once accidentally got the pH way too high in a garden patch that way, years 
ago. Vary where you apply, and keep an eye on the soil tests -- for potash 
levels as well as pH. It's unlikely that one household is going to produce 
enough of the stuff to overload several acres, though.



-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 6A now I think
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale