This article details a personal experiment in native plant gardening, focusing on the unconventional use of a deep layer of wood chips as the primary growing medium. The author recounts their journey, from initial planting directly into the wood chips, to refining their technique by creating small indentations to ensure proper soil contact for optimal root growth. The experiment aimed to observe plant growth and soil development in this unique environment, deviating from the typical practice of preparing soil months in advance.Unexpectedly positive results are reported, with various native plants, including hibiscus, elderberry, and even perennials, thriving despite the challenges of nitrogen depletion often associated with wood chips. The author shares insights into adjustments made throughout the process, highlighting the successes and minor setbacks encountered, such as weather damage and rabbit intrusions. The experiment's ultimate success underscores the resilience of native plants and the potential of this less conventional, yet visually appealing, gardening method using a wood chip bed.
Pros And Cons
- Good growth happening on plants
- Plants are not struggling in the wood chips after thinning them around the plants
- Trees and shrubs are not sensitive to nitrogen stealing from wood chips
- Perennials are not struggling
- Wood chips are initially dense, making planting difficult
- Rabbits are chewing on some plants
- Some plants were flattened by weather
- Requires thinning of wood chips to avoid smothering plants
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Planting in Wood Chips: Initial Observations
I embarked on a personal gardening experiment, planting directly into a bed of wood chips. My main goal was to observe plant growth and soil development in this unconventional method. Unlike previous projects where I waited months before planting, I opted for a more immediate approach in this native garden. The initial layer was around 6-8 inches of wood chips, creating a unique growing environment.
The wood chips are slowly decomposing, enriching the soil underneath. This is evident in the flourishing hibiscus, a gift from a fellow gardening enthusiast. The soil's texture has improved significantly, moving from a hard, compacted state to a more workable consistency. Early results indicate that this technique can be viable.
Adjusting Planting Technique
My initial approach involved planting directly into the wood chips. This proved somewhat inefficient. As the wood chips break down, the plant would potentially be left sitting high above the ground level. I adjusted my technique to create small indentations, removing a portion of the chips to plant directly in the enriched soil beneath.
This ensures the plant has proper contact with the soil for optimal root growth. I then carefully replaced some wood chips around each plant to maintain the aesthetic appearance of a wood chip bed. This subtle change in approach proved more successful for ensuring established root systems.
Plant Successes and Challenges
The shrubs in the wood chip bed have experienced robust growth, unaffected by the nitrogen depletion often associated with wood chips. This contrasts with perennials, which frequently struggle with immediate planting in wood chips. However, in my garden, even the perennials showed no signs of stress.
The rapid growth of plants like the elderberry highlights the effectiveness of this method. Even with the challenges of weather and some rabbit damage, the garden as a whole has thrived, exceeding my initial expectations for a wood chip garden.
New Additions and Future Plans
Recent additions include a pawpaw tree, generously donated by a fellow gardener. Pawpaws are known for their short shelf life and limited commercial viability, making them a unique and exciting addition. Other additions, such as the Joe-Pye weed and the Persea palustris, are thriving and beginning to bloom, attracting various pollinators like flies.
My native garden continues to grow and expand. Many plants, especially those donated by various garden enthusiasts, are larger specimens. I expect to have to make tough decisions about placement as the garden matures, but this is part of the ongoing charm of this evolving space.
Garden Update and Conclusion
Overall, despite some weather-related damage (wind and rain) and minor rabbit damage, my native garden has flourished. The combination of wood chips and thoughtful planting techniques has proven successful. The deep layer of wood chips, layered with mulch, creates a visually appealing and functional bed.
This experiment demonstrates that planting directly into a deep layer of wood chips is viable for many native plants, particularly woody shrubs. The success of this native garden, despite the challenges, speaks to the resilience of native plants and the potential of this less conventional gardening method. It has been a rewarding experience.
