Beginning a Wood Chip Garden

Many gardeners wish to grow organic vegetable crops in a chemical-free, natural garden. With that in mind, many gardeners have turned to nature to provide answers when it comes to building richer soil. Enter the humble wood chip. Natural growing environments are enriched when trees fall and begin to decompose, adding nutrients to the ground. Wood can persist as organic matter for a long time, enhancing the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and moisture, which results in bigger, better crops year after year.

The benefits of eating organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables are well known, and the home garden is making a bit of a revival. In generations past, even families in cities as big as New York and Chicago almost always had some form of the home garden. Tomatoes, squash, and peppers are easily grown in almost any environment. While much of what can be grown depends on where you live, using a wood material to add nutrients and help the soil to retain moisture will ensure your home garden is a heavy producer.

Where to Begin?

Woody materials can be used to improve soil quality whether you're growing in the ground or in containers. If you have a yard available, with enough space to map out a small garden, you’ll start by testing your soil. Soil testing kits are available at any nursery or home improvement store. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are essential to a successful crop, and using wood and paper materials can successfully give you the right mix. This can take time.

If you are beginning with a rich soil mixture, you can plant right away. If your soil is lacking any essential nutrient, begin by layering old paper bags or newspapers over the soil to be used. Woody materials are high in carbon and cellulose, so they need nitrogen and time in order to decompose. Whatever nitrogen is already in the soil will begin to work with the paper material to enrich the soil.

You may notice white mycelium, which is the vegetative form of many fruiting fungi and is commonly known as white rot, covering the layer of soil just under the paper material. These fungi are known to speed the creation of soil by increasing it's depth and attracting earthworms.

Resist the urge to till the soil! Let the paper material work its magic. Keeping the ground and the paper material moist will speed the process. Test the soil every couple of months and add another layer of paper when needed.

Wood and paper material can also be used when planting in containers. Be careful to choose containers with good soil drainage! One of the more obvious benefits of container gardening is the control you have over everything from where your plants will be located to how much water you will use. Unlike in-ground gardens, you’ll be able to use different soil mixtures for different plants and controlling weeds is a breeze, especially when using woody materials as mulch.

Ready, Set, Go!

Once your soil is ready, planning is key. There are some online planning templates that take garden planning to a whole new level. Once you’ve got your parameters set, the online tool can tell you where the best location is in your garden for each thing you want to plant and exactly when to plant each variety.

When you purchase seeds, check the back of the seed packet for zone information as well as instructions for planting and growing. If you purchase live plants from a local nursery, they should come with additional growing instructions as well. As a general rule, plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuces and herbs in the Spring, once the last chance of frost in your area has passed. Plant pumpkins and winter squash along with some varieties of beans in the fall.

Once your plants are established, ground cover is crucial to not only retain moisture but to help control the growth of weeds. Spread chips and/or shredded wood products around every plant and liberally across the entire garden, and completely cover the soil around any fruit trees (make sure to avoid piling the mulch next to the trunks). Aim for a layer of coverage 3-4 inches deep. Free wood chips can be obtained by using the service offered at FreeWoodChips.net.

Ask your local Garden Club about wood chips.

Joining a local garden club can be an amazing source of information. Many garden clubs have been operating for years, and are already well on their way to having established wood chip gardens. If you can’t find an established garden club in your area, consider starting one of your own. As an added bonus, most garden clubs have a crop-sharing program. Gardeners plan their entire gardens for each season so that they can coordinate, help each other and share in the harvest.

Continue to spread wood chips in your garden.

After harvesting your vegetables for the year, spread another layer of chips over the entire garden area. These should stay moist over the winter and begin breaking down immediately. If you live in a drier climate, you may have to wet them occasionally to keep them decomposing at a good rate.

As planting time rolls around again, test the soil and add another layer of chips and shredded wood mulch just after planting. This is an ongoing process, and your soil should be improving with each additional year.

Natural, organic gardens not only provide healthy meals but can help ease mental stress and provide a worthwhile hobby to children, teens, and retirees. Some people view natural gardening methods as a revolution of sorts, while others see their gardens as an inexpensive way to put the healthiest produce on the dinner table. Whatever your motivation, welcome to the natural world of wood chip gardening and happy harvesting!