Leaves vs Sawdust

Kentucky bluegrass, Fescue, Rye and Bent, etc
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NJDan
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Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by NJDan » November 19th, 2017, 8:57 am

For the last several years I have been collecting leaves from around the neighborhood at night. Yes, people do look out their window wondering what that idiot is doing. I'm sure we've all been there. :D My concern is that it is not always easy to tell when a lawn is well cared for and weed free, and therefore those leaves should be OK to steal. I have found patches of weed growth in my lawn here and there, and I wonder if it was due to the importation of leaves. One bag even had small chunks of concrete that I had to pick through. So this year I am not importing foreign leaves.

A couple of years ago morpheus recommended putting down sawdust for slowly improving soil structure. I used "equine pine" at the time which was cheap. So my thought is that the sawdust would do pretty much the same thing as the leaves, minus the trace minerals, of course. I was thinking to provide the lawn with 50 to 100 lb/ ksf a couple of times per year, maybe with a little extra nitrogen to help break it down. Any comments pro or con?

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andy10917
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by andy10917 » November 19th, 2017, 10:02 am

It works nicely. It also encourages the growth of good fungal members within your microherd, which prefer the material with lignin/cellulose over the favorite materials of the bacterial members. With repeat applications, the processing will slowly accelerate.

Oldschool
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by Oldschool » November 19th, 2017, 11:35 am

ATY Folks...I’m sold on the application of sawdust. I have a source but not certain on the application rate and how best to spread. Broadcast spreader is the obvious first method that comes to mind. But if the lbs/k are high maybe spreading from piles placed on the lawn (like compost) would be smarter and not harder. Thoughts anyone??

Also, since wood pellets ultimately break down like sawdust and would conceivably spread easier, are the pellets a good alternative? Thoughts?

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andy10917
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by andy10917 » November 19th, 2017, 11:48 am

This is not the first day of the universe. Using the Search Tool turned up 720 matches when the word "sawdust" was entered...

Oldschool
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by Oldschool » November 19th, 2017, 12:10 pm

Point taken...


NJDan
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by NJDan » November 19th, 2017, 10:17 pm

andy10917 wrote:
November 19th, 2017, 11:48 am
This is not the first day of the universe.
I did burst out with a laugh with this. I think it is called "laughing out loud." It's not being a prick if it is funny!

Thanks for the encouragement with sawdust.

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » November 20th, 2017, 5:36 pm

I love the edgey NY humor :) Anyways, I've used the equine pellets for renovations and general applications. Never noticed a problem other than some brief unsightliness when they explode.

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andy10917
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by andy10917 » November 20th, 2017, 5:49 pm

Never noticed a problem other than some brief unsightliness when they explode.
Image

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » November 20th, 2017, 5:52 pm

LOL - the pellets draw in moisture, expand, then turn to little puffs of sawdust when they dry out the next day.

No risk of nuclear radiation!

73Chall
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by 73Chall » November 21st, 2017, 12:16 am

Just curious, are y’all referring to the wood pellets sold primarily for stoking the “pellet-burning” stoves?

If so, I may have a source AND I’m keen on the much more convenient “spread-ability” ... !

With time to devote to it (at present anyway) I am big on investing the time and effort toward repeat applications of top-dressings ... (couple of neighbors chide me but, truly good things (and lasting results) frequently don’t come “easy” ... (besides, following the Fall Nitrogen Applications as best I can, those characters ain’t laughin’ anymore! :-)

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andy10917
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by andy10917 » November 21st, 2017, 12:21 am

Most of what is discussed is "equine pellets" for horse stalls.

73Chall
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by 73Chall » November 21st, 2017, 12:44 am

Ah, thank you sir; Rural King, here I come!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Andy and all!!!

NJDan
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Re: Leaves vs Sawdust

Post by NJDan » November 21st, 2017, 1:27 pm

By the way, I found that I was able to spread Equine Pine pellets just fine on my Scott's spreader at the largest setting.

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