Rules for using oak sawdust in gardening, their pros and cons

Experienced gardeners successfully use waste from the wood processing industry in their summer cottages. They are used as crop fertilizer and for laying a mulch layer. Before you start using oak sawdust, you need to find out what they are intended for, their positive and negative properties, so as not to harm crop plants. There are several ways to use this organic material.

What are oak sawdust used for?

The sawdust obtained from the production of oak products is used in a variety of ways among gardeners. In some cases, it is necessary to allow time for them to rot before use.

Areas of application of oak sawdust:

• as a mulching layer for cultivated plants;
• for improving paths in the garden;
• as a substrate for seed germination before planting;
• as insulation for boxes of fruit during winter storage on a loggia or in a cellar;
• for growing mushrooms at home.

Each method of using organic material has its own rules for its preparation. Otherwise, instead of benefit, the plants will be harmed.

Advantages and disadvantages

Oak waste, like any organic material, has its advantages and disadvantages. First of all, you need to decide on the purpose of using sawdust and study the instructions.

The beneficial effects of oak waste as a mulch layer are as follows:

1. The material prevents the evaporation of moisture from the soil, which is especially useful in regions with hot summers. In this way, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of irrigation.
2. If you cover the root space of crop plants with a layer of organic material, weed grass seeds will not receive enough sunlight to germinate. In this case, the gardener saves energy on constant weeding and loosening the soil.
3. The smell of oak sawdust can repel some pests that spoil cultivated plants.
4. If you use sawdust as a material for germinating seeds, the sprouts can subsequently be removed from the substrate without any problems, since it is loose and does not harm delicate plants.

However, wood waste also has negative qualities that must be taken into account before use:

1. Sawdust can draw nitrogen from the soil, so it should not be added fresh to the soil.
2. When organic material gets into the soil, it acidifies not only it, but also groundwater, which negatively affects the health of plants.

How to use oak sawdust in gardening

Before you start using sawdust, you need to figure out how to do it correctly.

As mulch

Oak mulch is inexpensive and easy to use. The layer around vegetable crops is laid in the spring; its thickness should be at least 4 cm. Perennial plants are covered with mulch in the fall; it will help them survive frosts, as it will warm the root system.

The method of application depends on what kind of sawdust is available - fresh or half-rotted:

1. In the first case, the material is pre-impregnated using a strong urea solution. Take 250 grams of urea per 10-liter bucket of water.
2. Semi-rotted sawdust is laid out in a layer around the plants without pre-treatment.

Germination of seeds

For successful germination, seeds need loose substance, heat and moisture. All these requirements are perfectly met by oak sawdust.

There are two ways to use material for seed germination:

1. First, the sawdust is washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or scalded with boiling water to destroy all harmful microorganisms. After this, pour the material into a container with holes and let it stand for a day. Then they mix thoroughly and, after mixing half and half with river sand, the seeds are sown.
2. The second method is used when the seeds are supposed to be sown in closed ground. Dig a trench, the depth of which is about 10 cm.A layer of fresh sawdust is laid out at its bottom, which is sprinkled with nitrogen fertilizer on top, then a little ash is poured out. Next comes a layer of fertile soil of 8 cm, and on top - rotted and disinfected sawdust. Seed material is sown on them.

As insulation when storing vegetables

Oak sawdust is also used to create a thermal box in which vegetables will be stored during the winter. To do this, select a tall box or wooden box and pour dry sawdust into it. After this, the vegetables are laid out and the top is again crushed with organic material. Such a thermal box can be placed on a loggia where there is no heating, or in a cold basement. Sawdust absorbs moisture and extends the shelf life of fruits.

For home growing mushrooms

Mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms can be successfully grown at home using ordinary sawdust. Straw or husk left over from sunflower seeds is added to them. Proportions - 3:1. First, the entire future substrate is disinfected by soaking in hot water for 6-7 hours. It is necessary to ensure that the temperature of the liquid does not fall below 60 degrees throughout the entire time.

The cooled sawdust and straw are squeezed out of the water and they begin to plant mushrooms. To do this, take a plastic bag and lay the substrate and mycelium in it in layers. To allow air access, several holes are made in the bag. If you provide proper care, you can enjoy the first mushrooms after 40 days.

In the greenhouse and on the beds

In the greenhouse, oak waste is used not only as mulch, but also for planting seeds. In addition, if you sprinkle the path between the beds with organic material, weeds will not be able to germinate.

Production waste is also used to create warm beds.In this case, crops ripen faster and are less affected by fungal diseases.

Possible problems

In order for the use of production waste to bring only benefits, it is necessary to follow the rules. Do not use fresh material for mulch without mixing it with other components. When growing seeds, it is necessary to disinfect the substrate.