Composting Wood Chips: A How-To Guide

If you’re an avid gardener or farmer, you’ve probably come across wood chips. This byproduct of the timber industry is a great source of organic matter for composting, but it needs to be prepared properly to avoid problems. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about composting wood chips, from why it’s beneficial to how to do it right.

The Benefits of Composting Wood Chips

Wood chips are a great source of “browns” in composting, which balance out the “greens” (e.g. food scraps and grass clippings). They add carbon to the mix, which helps to create a healthy environment for microorganisms that break down the organic matter.

When wood chips are added to soil, they help retain moisture and improve drainage. They also provide a slow-release source of nutrients as they decompose, which can benefit plants in the long term.

Preparing Wood Chips for Composting

Before adding wood chips to your compost pile, it’s important to prepare them properly. Fresh wood chips can contain high levels of carbon and low levels of nitrogen, which can slow down the composting process and create an imbalanced mix.

One way to prepare wood chips is to let them age for six months to a year before composting. During this time, the wood chips will begin to decompose and release excess carbon. To speed up the process, you can turn the pile occasionally to aerate it and keep it moist.

You can also mix wood chips with other materials, such as green leaves or grass clippings, to create a balanced mix. Aim for a ratio of roughly 25-30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen.

Adding Wood Chips to Your Compost Pile

Once your wood chips are prepared, it’s time to add them to your compost pile. Make sure to layer them with other organic matter, such as food scraps and grass clippings.

Aim for a mix of roughly 50% browns (e.g. wood chips) and 50% greens (e.g. food scraps and grass clippings) by volume. You can add more browns if your compost pile is wet or smells bad, as this will help to absorb excess moisture and balance the mix.

To speed up the composting process, make sure to turn your pile regularly to aerate it and keep it moist. You can also add a compost activator, such as garden soil or finished compost, to introduce beneficial microorganisms.

Troubleshooting Composting Wood Chips

If your compost pile isn’t breaking down properly, there may be a problem with the mix. If you’ve added too many wood chips, for example, the pile may be too dry and have too much carbon. If you’ve added too many greens, the pile may be too wet and have too much nitrogen.

To fix these issues, simply adjust the mix by adding more browns or greens as needed. You can also try turning the pile more frequently to aerate it and introducing more moisture if it’s too dry.

Composting wood chips is a great way to add organic matter to your garden or farm while reducing waste. By preparing the chips properly and adding them to a balanced mix, you can create nutrient-rich compost that benefits your plants in the long term. Remember to turn your pile regularly and troubleshoot any problems that arise, and you’ll be on your way to successful composting!

composting, organic matter, nutrients, gardening, farming, soil

Fresh wood chips being dumped into a pile for composting

Compost pile with leaves, grass, and wood chips

Man turning a compost pile with a pitchfork