Gardeners are advised to use sawdust as mulch or as a means of improving the soil structure.
Wood processing waste can be found on any site, and acquiring it is not a problem either, but there is no need to rush to fill your garden beds with it.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, spoke about the pros and cons of using sawdust in garden beds.
How to use sawdust
Firstly, it should be sawdust from clean wood, and not from building materials that contain harmful chemicals (paint, formaldehyde, antiseptics and other means of preventing decay).
Secondly, the trees themselves should not be treated with harsh chemicals - this will harm both the plants and the soil.
Thirdly, high-quality raw materials can be used as mulch, but in a layer of about 5 cm.
This will protect the soil from drying out and overheating, and will also prevent the growth of weeds.
Fourthly, sawdust can improve the structure of the soil and serve as a natural fertilizer. But for this, sawdust must first be mixed with compost (humus), leaving it for several weeks.
What is the main disadvantage?
Sawdust mainly attracts pests, and ants are at the top of this list. And, as we know, where ants appear, aphids soon appear.
Therefore, in some cases it is necessary to consider a safer material.
Earlier we told you what to do if moss and lichens appear on a tree.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
