Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  While wood chips can provide excellent mulching cover to keep soil in its place, uncomposted wood chips can be a challenge when trying to establish vegetation.  While decomposing, wood chips will tie up nitrogen, and can create a droughty and hot surface.  This makes seedling establishment tough.  In concentrated flow areas, wood chips will float and move. Wood chips that have been through a complete composting process can make an excellent soil amendment.   IT'S CLEAR WATER ALABAMA WEEK!!!!!!!   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee