Using Dry Wood Shavings in the Garden

Dry wood shavings are a good mulch to use for paths in the home vegetable garden and only need to be replaced, or added to every 2 to 3 years. This is a good way to recycle waste from the lumber industry.

1. The new shavings are very light and bright which is an asset in the partly shady garden.
2. Depending on original shavings thickness it takes 2 to 3 years for the shavings to darken and decompose before being replaced
3. Dry shavings are very lightweight and are easy to move in and around the garden. For example 2 yards of dry shavings were spread in a few hours using a wheelbarrow
4. Bugs and slugs don’t seem to like the shavings
5. Great weed control
6. Dry pathways underfoot in heavy rains
7. Pleasing to the eye
8. Before putting down the new shavings I dug some of the previous mostly decomposed path shavings and re-used it as a mulch on the gardens

Notes:

• Shavings and sawdust have no nitrogen but can be used on plants when mixed with organic material
• If you use fresh shavings in compost use one part shavings to 4 or 5 parts kitchen waste or green clippings, i.e. high nitrogen organic matter
• If you use fresh shavings or sawdust on vegetable or flower gardens as a surface mulch plants may become nitrogen deficient
• They are a good base for a path or area you are going to cover with another mulch.
• The shavings are mainly from spruce, birch, fir & pine and are mostly softwood

Wet spring garden with dry paths

Greenhouse mulched inside & out

Inside greenhouse mulched path

Lemon Balm peaking through wood shavings

Newly mulched garden paths

Wood shavings on path

… and more Notes :

• Cedar is not included in the shavings
• Use a mask when moving the sawdust
• Shavings are reasonably priced and are about half the price of bark mulch
• 2 yards of dry wood shavings go a long way in a small urban garden
• We used dry shavings beneath cages in a small rabbitry  and the resulting litter was used in the vegetable garden with excellent results
• You can use coloured plastic products under any mulch but I prefer sawdust or shavings as its friendlier for the worms!