How to spread sawdust?

[Texgasser1]

So I run a little sawmill, and have been collecting enormous amounts of sawdust, Daddy told me I ought to plow it under in the field help build up the soil.

What Would I spread it with? Manure spreader? also how thick would I spread it? Or should I spread it in rows?

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cjunrau]

So I run a little sawmill, and have been collecting enormous amounts of sawdust, Daddy told me I ought to plow it under in the field help build up the soil.

What Would I spread it with? Manure spreader? also how thick would I spread it? Or should I spread it in rows?

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

I have been told some sawdust is poison for soil. Not sure if it's true.

 

[Steve in VA]

I have been told some sawdust is poison for soil. Not sure if it's true.

It does truly depend on what type of timber is being sawn. Oaks naturally depress plant growth of competition and pine, if fresh, will be really acidic. Aged/rotten sawdust would be best.

This doesn’t answer the question of how best to apply, but it's all I can offer.

 

[MKinON]

No sawdust from walnut species. Sawdust will compete heavily for the nitrogen in the soil to decompose, so best would be well rotted to begin with.

 

[Texgasser1]

It does truly depend on what type of timber is being sawn. Oaks naturally depress plant growth of competition and pine, if fresh, will be really acidic. Aged/rotten sawdust would be best.

This doesn’t answer the question of how best to apply, but it's all I can offer.

Most all that we have is dried pine dust.

 

[Texgasser1]

No sawdust from walnut species. Sawdust will compete heavily for the nitrogen in the soil to decompose, so best would be well rotted to begin with.

So would that mean putting it in a pile outside to rot and stir it like a manure pile? also I never saw walnut.

 

[wh]

Here in north alabama it would sell rapidly. Lot of plant growers would love to get it. With intro of bandsaw mills sawdust is hard to find.

 

[cjunrau]

So would that mean putting it in a pile outside to rot and stir it like a manure pile? also I never saw walnut.

around here the dairy farms use it for bedding. I would use it for bedding if I could get it. a couple of small mills here have the farmer come once or twice a week to pick up. saves them disposal fees. I would think if you could sell it to mechanic shops or small farmers for a reasonable price, they would take it. If not I would think spreading real thin with a manure spreader would work, Piling it up in low spots might work as well. would rot down quicker there as well

 

[MKinON]

So would that mean putting it in a pile outside to rot and stir it like a manure pile? also I never saw walnut.

Yes that would help, just make sure it doesn't heat too much.

 

[Texgasser1]

Here in north alabama it would sell rapidly. Lot of plant growers would love to get it. With intro of bandsaw mills sawdust is hard to find.

Never found anyone who would give me a dollar for it. I fill up super sacks of sawdust.

 

[Texgasser1]

around here the dairy farms use it for bedding. I would use it for bedding if I could get it. a couple of small mills here have the farmer come once or twice a week to pick up. saves them disposal fees. I would think if you could sell it to mechanic shops or small farmers for a reasonable price, they would take it. If not I would think spreading real thin with a manure spreader would work, Piling it up in low spots might work as well. would rot down quicker there as well

I have tried farms, even just offered to give it to them, No takers.

 

[rustred]

So I run a little sawmill, and have been collecting enormous amounts of sawdust, Daddy told me I ought to plow it under in the field help build up the soil.

What Would I spread it with? Manure spreader? also how thick would I spread it? Or should I spread it in rows?

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

All depends on what trees u have used for sawdust.

 

[joeysmith]

Mushroom farms use it i think

Never found anyone who would give me a dollar for it. I fill up super sacks of sawdust.

 

[Texgasser1]

All depends on what trees u have used for sawdust.

90 percent pine.

 

[rustred]

90 percent pine.

That’s no good for soil. Just put it in a pile and soak it with water. Or burn it on a pile in the field. Or dump it in a swamp. Poplar is the wood for soil , ashes better yet.

 

[timbertime2]

I have spread sawdust on my fields since 1988. when I got my first Woodmizer sawmill. I spread any time of year any species of wood. Just try to put down a light layer, like a 1/2 inch but that's challenging with a manure spreader.

 

[rustred]

I have spread sawdust on my fields since 1988. when I got my first Woodmizer sawmill. I spread any time of year any species of wood. Just try to put down a light layer, like a 1/2 inch but that's challenging with a manure spreader.

Sure u can spread it any place . But was a soul sample done to see what’s happening. Where poplar trees grow that’s good farm land , where u see spruce or pine that’s poor farmland. Plus nothing grows in a spruce bush. In a poplar bush u have everything growing.

 

[Pete in MD]

Some horse owners don't realize bedding with walnut or black cherry sawdust will cause foundering or laminitis in as little as 24 hours.

 

[Steve in VA]

So I run a little sawmill, and have been collecting enormous amounts of sawdust, Daddy told me I ought to plow it under in the field help build up the soil.

What Would I spread it with? Manure spreader? also how thick would I spread it? Or should I spread it in rows?

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

So, back to your question, if i wanted to spread sawdust on my fields i would be inclined to make sure it was 1] aged 2] dry and then I'd try using a 3 pt cyclone spreader. Since it would be my project, it wouldn't work. If you have a manure spreader that should work if it's not dry.

That said, i would consider burning it and spreading the ashes.

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

My dad used to use rotten sawdust years ago to help raise potatoes. He would lay off his rows with a plow and spread the rotten sawdust into the bottom of the row. The seed potatoes were then placed on top of the sawdust and then covered with soil. He always used a garden mule to layout his rows and then cover the seed potatoes. He would then use the mule and a middle buster plow to dig out the potatoes at harvest time. We would load them on a wagon and haul them to the creek on our property where they would be washed then loaded back onto the wagon. Then carried to the barn where they were put up into the hayloft on a bed of hay. He then would cover them with a dusting of lime to keep the bugs off them. Before winter set in what potatoes were left had hay bales covering them so they would not freeze. We had potatoes all year long. The sawdust had to be rotten to help with the growth.