Pine bark mulch

duajones · February 23, 2011

I have a friend that just tilled for his spring plant out. There was a pretty good layer of pine bark mulch left from his fall garden. I have read that this will tie up available nitrogen. What can he do to counter this?

ireilly · February 23, 2011

Shorter term: Add additional slow-feed N.

Longer term: Till in winter cover crops.

The wood will convert to humus eventually so is valuable for soilbuilding.

fortyonenorth · February 23, 2011

It depends on the texture, too. The larger pine bark "chips" will take awhile to breakdown. I regularly use pine bark "fines" as a soil amendment to great effect. As ireilly said, adding nitrogen will help overcome any short term issues.

sprtsguy76 · February 23, 2011

If its all bark I wouldn't worry about a N tie up at all. Its the actual hardwood that will tie up N. I use bark fines as a main ingredient in my container soils with no N problems. JMT

Damon

matilda'skid · February 23, 2011

I am making potting mix out of pine bark. The bark breaks down slowly; it should be good for his soil.

February 23, 2011	#1
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	Pine bark mulch I have a friend that just tilled for his spring plant out. There was a pretty good layer of pine bark mulch left from his fall garden. I have read that this will tie up available nitrogen. What can he do to counter this? __________________ Duane Jones

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February 23, 2011	#2
ireilly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 344	Shorter term: Add additional slow-feed N. Longer term: Till in winter cover crops. The wood will convert to humus eventually so is valuable for soilbuilding.

February 23, 2011	#3
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	It depends on the texture, too. The larger pine bark "chips" will take awhile to breakdown. I regularly use pine bark "fines" as a soil amendment to great effect. As ireilly said, adding nitrogen will help overcome any short term issues.

February 23, 2011	#4
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	If its all bark I wouldn't worry about a N tie up at all. Its the actual hardwood that will tie up N. I use bark fines as a main ingredient in my container soils with no N problems. JMT Damon

February 23, 2011	#5
matilda'skid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 309	I am making potting mix out of pine bark. The bark breaks down slowly; it should be good for his soil.