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Degraded Wood Chips into Potting Soil

 
pollinator
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I have around 16 yards of very old wood chips that have turned into a fine soil like consistency.
I would like to use it next year for potting soil for Pawpaw and Persimmon tree seedlings.
Here is the test reports from Logan Labs in Ohio.  
I am in North Alabama.
Any suggestions on natural ways to make this work?
TIA
Filename: 4_2026_Dennis-Bangham-Soil-20260402-196959.pdf
Description: Soil Test Report
File size: 72 Kbytes
Filename: 04_2026_Dennis-Bangham-Saturated-Paste-20260402-196959.pdf
Description: Saturated Paste
File size: 48 Kbytes
 
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This is my starter soil for plants,  I first screen it to take out the larger pieces which have not broken down yet..

This is what I use to sift the wood chips.



 
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That soil looks pretty good actually. Main thing I'd watch is nitrogen drawdown if it's not fully broken down yet, the decomposition process can still tie up nitrogen and stress young seedlings. Mixing in some compost or worm castings should sort it out. Pawpaws especially can be touchy in the early stages.
 
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By next year, maybe those decomposed wood chips will be considered compost?
 
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Dennis Bangham wrote:I have around 16 yards of very old wood chips that have turned into a fine soil like consistency.
I would like to use it next year for potting soil for Pawpaw and Persimmon tree seedlings.


From my experience, there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing". I have found that adding some "real dirt" (mix of clay and sand mostly) to my seed starting mix, rather than it being 100% compost/coir/etc, the seeds seem to do better. Similarly, tall raised beds where plant roots couldn't reach the soil, or mini-hugels covered all with compost and no dirt, haven't done well in my ecosystem. When I added shovelfuls of our crappy clay soil sprinkled through the layers of compost and wood, the beds did much better.

It doesn't take a lot. My brain is estimating 10% (but my brain sometimes lies... I don't exactly measure when doing jobs like that!)

You could do a test with spare or cheap seeds like beans and see how they respond? Even seeds from any local fruit would give you some idea this year, whether the plants look happy.
 
I agree. Here's the link: https://woodheat.net
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