Choose the Best Wood Chips and See Your Garden Thrive

A healthy, thriving garden starts from the ground up. One of the best ways to build rich, fertile soil is by using wood chip mulch. But not all wood chips are created equal. Choosing the right wood chips for your garden can make all the difference in soil health and plant performance.

We'll also offer guidance on proper application to maximize the benefits of wood chip mulch in your ornamental and edible gardens.

Different Types of Wood Chips for Mulching

Wood chips come from a variety of tree species and sources. The type of wood affects the size, texture, and rate of decomposition of the chips.

Softwood vs. Hardwood Chips

Softwood chips come from conifer trees like pine, cedar, and spruce. They break down more slowly than hardwood chips. Their higher resin content can initially lower soil pH. Softwood chips are great for pathways and stabilizing slopes.

Hardwood chips are made from deciduous trees like oak, maple, and birch. They decompose faster, adding nutrients back into the soil. Hardwood chips are a good choice for mulching garden beds.

Shredded Wood and Bark Chips

Shredded wood provides a uniform texture and breaks down quickly. Bark chips are stringier with higher carbon content, taking longer to decompose. Blends of shredded wood and bark offer a balance of texture and decomposition rate.

Chip Size

Larger wood chips (2-3 inches) are good for permanent placements, while smaller chips (under 1 inch) are best for mulching annual gardens. Smaller chips break down faster. Opt for medium chip sizes (1-2 inches) for general garden mulching.

Fresh vs. Composted

Fresh wood chips can take up nitrogen in the soil as they decompose. Composted or aged chips have already broken down, so won't tie up nitrogen. Use composted chips for veggie gardens, or mix fresh chips with high-nitrogen compost or manure.

Using Wood Chips in Vegetable Gardens

While wood chips provide many benefits in ornamental gardens, they require some special considerations when used in vegetable gardens:

Monitor Nitrogen Levels

Test soil nitrogen before and after applying fresh wood chips. Supplement with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer as needed to prevent depletion.

Incorporate High-Nitrogen Amendments

Mixing fresh chips with compost, manure, grass clippings or nitrogen-rich fertilizers will prevent nitrogen tie-up.

Mulch Around Beds, Not In Them

Rather than mixing wood chips into veggie garden beds, use them as mulch in walkways and between beds. This provides all the benefits without robbing nitrogen.

With proper care taken to maintain nitrogen levels, wood chip mulch can be a great asset in vegetable gardens!

Applying Wood Chip Mulch in Ornamental Beds

When using wood chips around ornamentals like trees, shrubs, perennials and annual flowers, follow these guidelines for best results:

Mulch Depth of 2-3 Inches

This provides ideal moisture retention, weed suppression and insulation for plant roots. Deeper mulch can hinder water and air penetration.

Replenish Mulch Yearly

Top up mulch to maintain a 2-3 inch layer. Exact frequency depends on mulch decomposition rate.

Leave Space Around Stems

Keep mulch a few inches back from tree trunks and shrub stems to prevent moisture buildup and rot.

Maintaining these best practices when mulching ornamental plantings will keep your garden, and plants, looking their best.

Long-Lasting Wood Chips for Permanent Areas

While wood chips in garden beds need regular replenishment, some permanent garden features require long-lasting mulch. Here are some ideal uses:

Pathways and Walkways

A deep layer of large wood chips provides a natural walking surface and cuts down on mud.

Weed Barrier Between Beds

A thick mulch layer prevents weeds from taking root between raised beds and stops soil compaction.

Trees and Shrubs

Coarse, slow decomposing wood chips are perfect for mulching around trees and shrubs.

Choose large sized, un-composted chips for these permanent placements in the garden.

Improving Soil with Wood Chips

As wood chips break down, they provide a variety of valuable benefits to garden soil health:

Building Organic Matter

Decomposing wood chips add organic material, improving soil structure and moisture retention.

Increasing Nutrient Content

As chips break down, they release carbon and minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium into the soil.

Feeding Soil Microbes

Fungi and bacteria thrive on wood chips as an energy source, keeping the soil food web humming.

To boost these soil improvement benefits, compost chips before incorporating into garden beds.

Sourcing Wood Chips

It's easy to get wood chips right in your community through these avenues:

Chip Drop Programs

Arborists drop off wood chips from local tree pruning and removal jobs.

Municipal Composting

Many cities offer free composted wood chips from yard waste collection.

Tree Services

Tree trimming companies are often happy to drop off wood chips from their jobs.

Check locally to find the best wood chip sources near you.

Safe Handling and Application of Wood Chips

Follow these tips for staying safe and getting the most from your wood chip mulching:

Use Protective Gear

Wear gloves, safety goggles and a mask when handling and spreading wood chips.

Avoid Contaminated Chips

Don't use wood chips from chemically treated trees or construction sites.

Prevent Soil Compaction

Spread chips by hand or use a wheelbarrow to avoid excessive foot traffic and soil compaction.

With smart sourcing and careful application, wood chips can improve your soil while keeping you safe.

Wood chip mulch provides a range of benefits, from weed suppression to moisture retention to building soil structure and fertility. But not all wood chips are created equal. Choosing locally sourced, chemical-free chips of the optimal size and decomposition rate for your needs is key.

Use fresh hardwood chips judiciously in veggie gardens, mixing with compost to balance carbon and nitrogen. For ornamental plantings, medium-sized blended chips work well. And for permanent paths and barriers, large un-composted chips are ideal. Follow best practices for applying mulch at the right depth and spacing.