----- Original Message -----

From: J*@aol.com

To: p*@hort.net

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 2:48 PM

Subject: Re: Pine bark fines

I've heard of chicken grit used to lighten heavy soils...how do you use it? Do you get it from feed stores? Does it degrade over time?

 

Thanks, Joanie Anderson

 

In a message dated 6/14/2011 12:10:41 P.M. Central Daylight Time, lindsey@mallorn.com writes:

----- Original Message -----
>
> Chris....my experience with chipping/shredding branches, etc., is
> that the result is very coarse, even too coarse to use as mulch.
> But, that might be just the chipper/shredders I've seen used. I'd
> also be interested in knowing if others have found this a useful
> tool for making soil amendments and what type of machine is best.

It's something that I'll have to experiment with.

I still prefer mixing my own soil when potting up plants -- it's
so much less expensive, seems to hold up well, and I can tailor
it to the needs of a plant (i.e. hardwood bark fines for non-acid-
lovers, pine bark fines for acid lovers, extra chicken grit when
more drainage is needed, etc.)

So for my use running mulch through a chipper multiple times
might be effective, but that may not be true for needing enough
to cover a 20x20 bed.  :)

Chris

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