In this article, we will be discussing the results of a two-year experiment involving the use of wood chips in a vegetable garden. The experiment involved covering half of the garden with wood chips and leaving the other half without any wood chips. Both sides of the garden were treated the same, with no amendments or compost added to the soil. The experiment aimed to test whether the use of wood chips would tie up nitrogen in the soil and affect harvest yields.
After two years, the soil test results showed that the nitrogen level in the wood chip section was low, while the non-wood chip section had a high level of nitrogen. The other macro and micronutrients in both sections were at good levels, with the wood chip section having a high level of organic matter. The article will discuss the soil amendment strategies used to address the low nitrogen levels and the comparative analysis of the two sections.
Wood Chip Experiment Setup
The speaker conducted an experiment in their vegetable garden by covering half of it with wood chips for two years and leaving the other half without any wood chips. Both sides of the garden were treated the exact same way, with no application of composted manure or any type of soil amendments. The only difference was that one side had wood chips and no tilling for two years.
Initially, the speaker was concerned about nitrogen being tied up or the wood chips using more of the nitrogen in the soil as they began to break down. However, the soil test results from the wood chip part of the garden showed that the nitrogen level was very low, at 11 ppm, which is at the higher end of low but still low. All other macro and micronutrients in the soil were at either very high, medium, or high levels, including organic matter, which was beneficial for holding moisture and nutrients.
To amend for the low nitrogen level, the speaker plans to add composted chicken manure and some compost to the soil. They have already added compost where they planted peas and beans, and will top dress with a small amount of chicken manure.
In comparison, the soil test results for the main garden, where no wood chips were used and tilling was still practiced, showed a nitrogen level on the high end of medium, at 24 ppm. All other macro and micronutrients in the soil were also at excellent levels.
Soil Test Results: Wood Chip Section
The speaker conducted a soil test on half of their vegetable garden that had been covered with wood chips for two years. The other half of the garden did not have any wood chips on it, but both sides were treated the same and did not receive any compost or amendments to the soil. The wood chips were only on the top layer of the soil and were not worked into the soil to prevent them from consuming too much nitrogen.
The soil test results for the wood chip section showed that the nitrogen level was low, at 11 ppm, which is at the higher end of low. However, all the other macro and micronutrients in the soil were at good levels, either very high, medium, or high, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, sulfur, and organic matter. The soil testing company used was Simply Soil Testing, which is a local company that the speaker used and recommends.
The speaker plans to amend the soil with composted chicken manure and compost to increase the nitrogen level. They have already added compost to where they planted peas and beans, which do not require a lot of nitrogen, but they will also top dress with a small amount of chicken manure. Overall, the speaker was not too displeased with the results and plans to continue using wood chips in their garden.
Soil Amendment Strategies
The speaker conducted a soil test on two halves of their vegetable garden. One half had been covered with wood chips for two years while the other half had not received any wood chips or amendments. Both halves had been treated the same way except for the wood chips. The speaker was concerned about nitrogen being tied up by the wood chips and affecting the harvest yield. However, the wood chips did not consume too much nitrogen in the soil as long as they were not worked into the soil.
The wood chips were placed on top of a layer of cardboard to act as weed suppression. The speaker did not notice any significant yield differences between the two halves of the garden, but some plants on the wood chip side did not grow as much as expected. The soil test results showed that the nitrogen level in the wood chip side was low, but all other macro and micronutrients were at good levels. The wood chip side had a high level of organic matter, which helps with aeration, water retention, and nutrient release.
To amend for nitrogen, the speaker planned to add composted chicken manure and compost to the soil. Peas were planted in the wood chip side, which does not require a lot of nitrogen, but some nitrogen must be present. The speaker added compost and a small amount of chicken manure to the soil where beans were planted. The rain would help wash the chicken manure down into the soil.
In the other half of the garden, which had not received any wood chips, the nitrogen level was on the high end of medium. All other nutrient levels were excellent, and the speaker did not need to add any nitrogen to this half of the garden.
Soil Test Results: Non-Wood Chip Section
The speaker conducted a soil test on two halves of their vegetable garden. One half had been covered with wood chips for two years, while the other half had not. Both halves were treated the same, with no application of compost or manure. The speaker’s initial concern with the wood chip section was that the wood chips would tie up nitrogen in the soil and affect plant growth. However, after two years, the speaker did not notice any significant differences in yield between the two halves of the garden.
The soil test results for the non-wood chip section showed that all macro and micronutrient levels were excellent. The nitrogen level was on the high end of medium, at 24 ppm, which is more than double the level in the wood chip section. The speaker did not need to add any nitrogen to this section of the garden.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of organic matter in soil, as it holds moisture and nutrients and releases nutrients back into the soil as it breaks down. The speaker plans to add compost to the non-wood chip section for aeration and water retention. Overall, the soil test results for the non-wood chip section were favorable, with no need for additional amendments.
Comparative Analysis
The speaker conducted a soil test on two halves of their vegetable garden, one of which had been covered with wood chips for two years and the other which had not. Both halves had received the same treatment, with no amendments or tilling. The speaker was concerned that the wood chips would tie up nitrogen in the soil, but research indicated that as long as the chips were not worked into the soil, they would not consume too much nitrogen.
After two years, the speaker observed that while weed control was good on the wood chip side, some crops did not grow as much as expected. A soil test revealed that nitrogen levels were low, at 11 ppm, while all other macro and micronutrient levels were either high or medium. In contrast, the other half of the garden, which had not been covered with wood chips and had been tilled, had a nitrogen level of 24 ppm, on the high end of medium. All other nutrient levels were excellent.
The speaker plans to amend the wood chip side with composted chicken manure and compost to increase nitrogen levels. They also note the importance of organic matter in soil for moisture and nutrient retention, and will continue to use compost to improve soil quality.
Future Plans and Adjustments
After conducting a soil test on the vegetable garden, it was discovered that the half of the garden covered with wood chips for two years has a low level of nitrogen. However, the other half of the garden, which has not had any wood chips and has been tilled, has a high level of nitrogen.
To address the nitrogen deficiency in the wood chip covered half of the garden, the speaker plans to add composted chicken manure and compost to the soil. They have already added compost where they planted peas and beans. The speaker also plans to top dress with a small amount of chicken manure to provide the necessary nitrogen for the beans.
Overall, the levels of other macro and micronutrients in the wood chip covered half of the garden are good, with high levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, sulfur, and organic matter. The speaker acknowledges that ideally, they should have added a layer of compost before adding the wood chips, but due to real-life circumstances, they were unable to do so.
In the future, the speaker plans to make more compost using resources from their farm to avoid having to purchase compost. They also plan to amend the soil where they plant this year based on the soil test results.
In summary, the speaker will be adding compost and chicken manure to address the low nitrogen levels in the wood chip covered half of the garden. They also plan to make more compost and amend the soil where they plant this year based on the soil test results.