Wood Chips

[jonereb]

I had two large trees cut down and had the wood chips piled up for composting and later use as mulch. This is a large pile -- about 8 feet by 10 feet and 4 feet high. How long should I let the chips decompose before using in my flowerbeds and shrubs, and around trees? I may never have to buy mulch again.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Mulch will appear in the lower center of the pile. It takes a year. After that, the digging is turning and you will just work it down. You could kick out layers, wet them with molasseswater and speed things up.

 

[alp]

Or mixed with cow / horse /chicken manure. Cow is better than horse as it won't leave you with undigested grass seeds. You can mix the manure in and add organic composting accelerators such as woodlice like bugs. Or / and chuck in some worms or encourage the multiplication of worms.

 

[headfullofbees]

Put them straight on now.