EP 438: Mistakes I Made Using Woodchips in the Garden (And How I FIXED Them) w/ Paul Gautchi

Summary

In this insightful gardening discussion, the speaker reflects on their initial struggles with the Back to Eden gardening method using wood chips. They reveal common mistakes like using the wrong type of wood chips, insufficient depth, and impatience with the healing process. By consulting with Paul Gautschi, the founder of the method, they learn essential tips to improve results. The conversation highlights the importance of using arborist wood chips, proper layering, patience, and the power of nature's cycles in achieving healthy, sustainable gardens. The method is shown to work universally, even in challenging conditions, making it accessible to gardeners worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Back to Eden method relies on covering soil with wood chips to improve garden health and productivity.
• 😀 Common issues with using wood chips in gardening include using the wrong type of wood chips, insufficient depth, and lack of patience during the healing process.
• 😀 Arborist wood chips, which contain green material, branches, and leaves, are the most effective for the Back to Eden method.
• 😀 A successful garden using wood chips requires enough time for soil to heal and improve, so patience is essential in the first few years.
• 😀 Adding organic amendments such as compost or blood meal is crucial for providing nitrogen during the healing process of the soil.
• 😀 The method works for a variety of plants, including perennials, vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
• 😀 Using newspaper to cover soil helps kill grass or weeds when starting new garden beds, while cardboard should be avoided due to harmful chemicals in its glues.
• 😀 The best time to begin the Back to Eden method is in the fall, allowing winter for decomposition and soil improvement.
• 😀 A nitrogen deficiency is common during the first year after applying wood chips, but this can be remedied with top dressing or compost tea.
• 😀 The Back to Eden method has been successful worldwide in various climates, helping people grow food in any environment.
• 😀 In addition to wood chips, other natural materials like leaves can also be used as coverings for the soil, offering an eco-friendly alternative.

Q & A

What is the main issue gardeners face when using wood chips in the garden, according to the speaker?

The main issue is that many gardeners don't follow the correct method when using wood chips, leading to subpar results. These mistakes include using the wrong type of wood chips, not using enough depth, not giving the soil enough time to heal, and not adding necessary amendments like compost or nitrogen.

Why are arborist wood chips the preferred choice for the Back to Eden method?

Arborist wood chips are preferred because they contain a variety of materials, including the green parts of trees such as branches, leaves, and needles. These materials are essential for creating a healthy growing environment, unlike sawdust, which doesn't support plant growth.

What is the benefit of using newspaper as a covering layer in the garden?

Newspaper is used to kill grass and weeds when creating a new garden bed. It’s effective because it breaks down over time, is non-toxic, and is easily available. Unlike cardboard, it doesn’t contain harmful glues.

What should be the thickness of the newspaper layers when starting a new garden bed?

The speaker suggests using three layers of newspaper to effectively kill the grass or weeds beneath. This thickness is sufficient to block light and prevent weed growth.

Why is it important to cover the soil in the fall rather than in the spring when using the Back to Eden method?

Covering the soil in the fall allows time for the material to break down over winter, which improves the soil structure and prepares it for planting in the spring. Planting in the spring can be inefficient because the soil needs time to heal and develop.

How can nitrogen deficiency be addressed when transitioning to the Back to Eden method?

A nitrogen deficiency can occur in the first year when transitioning to wood chips. This can be managed by adding amendments such as compost, compost tea, or blood meal to provide the necessary nitrogen.

What is the key difference between using sawdust and wood chips in gardening?

Sawdust is not a suitable growing medium because it lacks the necessary organic material and structure found in wood chips. Wood chips, which contain branches, leaves, and twigs, support plant growth and biodiversity.

Why does the speaker suggest patience and sticking with the Back to Eden method?

Patience is required because it takes time for the soil to heal and for the benefits of the method to be fully realized. Many gardeners give up too soon, not allowing the soil enough time to recover and provide optimal conditions for crops.

What is one way to speed up the decomposition process of wood chips and improve the soil?

Using compost tea is one way to speed up the decomposition process. By steeping compost in water and using it to irrigate the soil, gardeners can add nutrients and encourage microbial activity.

Can wood chips be used on other types of land, such as pasture or lawns?

Yes, wood chips can be used on lawns or pasture land to improve soil quality and help prevent compaction. The speaker shares a personal experience where using wood chips on a pasture helped improve soil structure and allowed grass to grow better.