Keeping uncovered outdoor run clean

[jreardon1918]

Thanks everyone! I'm not sure I can find a source of aged woodchips... Would pine mulch do the trick? Most of the garden centers around here have that in bulk.

Where is here? I have heard tree services can often be counted on to deliver wood chips for free. I have a huge supply of leaves, grass clippings, garden waste. So, I didn't go that route.``

 

[PlayingDoh]

I have a huge supply of leaves, grass clippings, garden waste.

I'd suggest being careful with the grass clippings, the birds can get impacted if the pieces are too long. I've had this happen a few times and it's not fun to deal with.

 

[jreardon1918]

I'd suggest being careful with the grass clippings, the birds can get impacted if the pieces are too long. I've had this happen a few times and it's not fun to deal with.

Thank you, I will keep an eye open.

 

[3KillerBs]

Mulch is OK if it's well aged and not dyed.

Tree services will often be wiling to give you chips for free -- the catch being that you have to take the whole truckload and you'll need to let them age. I've got a pile in the corner of my property right now that's ready and if we need more tree work this summer we'll have them make a new pile instead of putting fresh on top of the stuff that's ready.

 

[equivix]

Mulch is OK if it's well aged and not dyed.

Tree services will often be wiling to give you chips for free -- the catch being that you have to take the whole truckload and you'll need to let them age. I've got a pile in the corner of my property right now that's ready and if we need more tree work this summer we'll have them make a new pile instead of putting fresh on top of the stuff that's ready.

Yep, I can probably find wood chips through a tree service, but the aging is the issue - need something now, and don't have a whole lot of storage space. :/ I assume it has to age for a year or so to work well?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yep, I can probably find wood chips through a tree service, but the aging is the issue - need something now, and don't have a whole lot of storage space. :/ I assume it has to age for a year or so to work well?

If it's needed right away, do very thin layers of chips, skimmed off the surface of the pile (as those will dry out the fastest) and build up layers over time. Like maybe a thin layer every 2-4 weeks or so. So it won't instantly fix your issues, but you should start to see some improvement.

I'd age at least 6 months but some people do less. If you get to around 6 months, and still need to build up layers, you can go a little thicker with layers at that point.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yep, I can probably find wood chips through a tree service, but the aging is the issue - need something now, and don't have a whole lot of storage space. :/ I assume it has to age for a year or so to work well?

I don't know if it has to be that long, but so they aren't green, fresh, and wet anymore.

You can start with shavings, straw, pine straw, leaves, etc.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. Some towns have municipal piles that residents can freely take from -- you could look for the older piles and get material there.

 

[aart]

How long to age chips is tricky...soooo many variables.
Just keep the layers thin.
Add a thin layer of straw too, will kick the stinks butt quick and help dry out the chips.

 

[equivix]

Thanks so much guys! You're awesome!!