Would this work for soil moisture retention

So Phresh Natural Softwood Small Animal Bedding

• - All natural blend of spruce, fir & pine shavings
• - Naturally absorbent and helps to control odor
• - Scent-free, with no aromatic oils for healthier pets and easier care
• - Dust-free to protect delicate respiratory systems
• - Biodegradable bedding can be recycled as compost

If not what are somethings that will work besides straw , grass or leaves.

Using this in a supersoil no till earthbox grow.

Thanks for any help

Why not straw? I just started using Timothy hay as cover on my veggies outside. Was shocked how well it worked.

Rice hulls are great. Par boiled of course.

blueberrymilkshake said:

Why not straw? I just started using Timothy hay as cover on my veggies outside. Was shocked how well it worked.

Click to expand...

Would have to order online as I live in city. This wood bedding would be way easier to get.

I'm pretty sure it would work I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking something

1ManGrow said:

Would have to order online as I live in city. This wood bedding would be way easier to get.

I'm pretty sure it would work I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking something

Click to expand...

I paid 60 bucks for 50 pounds. It was delivered by chewie. I live in the city too.

friedguy said:

Rice hulls are great. Par boiled of course.

Click to expand...

I have the oly mountain build a soil soil that has hulls in it but would also need to order online

Sawdust locks nitrogen it will be a nitrogen less grow for 6month
I layer sawdust down my allotment path cause it kills the plants there lol
I lay straw down my beds it’s totally different it doesn’t sit on the ground plus’s was a lower carbon

sawdust is 400:1 and straw is only 75:1

2cent said:

Sawdust locks nitrogen it will be a nitrogen less grow for 6month
I layer sawdust down my allotment path cause it kills the plants there lol
I lay straw down my beds it’s totally different it doesn’t sit on the ground plus’s was a lower carbon

sawdust is 400:1 and straw is only 75:1

Click to expand...

Using it as a mulch shouldnt steal nitrogen from anything but the very top layer of soil basically only at the point of contact. I've used woodchips for years and have never had issues with c:n balance once. Just don't mix it into your soil and you should be fine, personally I still prefer to use aged chips or straw but I've used fresh chip drop chips many times on my parents farm and at home with no issues.

anything that hasn't decayed will use the nitrogen bactria in the soil before its available to the plants, well most of it anyway

just remembered, theres something in pine thats not ideal for your plants, ill try and find out what it is

I've been using Pittmoss (recycled paper/cardboard product) as a top mulch and it seems to be helping with the gnat situation too.
It's supposed to replace perlite, and you can mix it in with the soil after a run.
I've made mulch topper bags (2 per plant) of it an 1"+ thick using 5g paint strainer bags for easy removal for top dressing or watering with a tea.
It helps to keep it dryer not watering through it. It's amazing how much water it can absorb.

Yes it won’t take much n if your in ground but most of us in beds n pots
But still it is enough on the allotment to kill path plants even after months when mowed the dust is the only bit didn’t grow onn

2cent said:

Sawdust locks nitrogen it will be a nitrogen less grow for 6month
I layer sawdust down my allotment path cause it kills the plants there lol
I lay straw down my beds it’s totally different it doesn’t sit on the ground plus’s was a lower carbon

sawdust is 400:1 and straw is only 75:1

Click to expand...

My soils a little hot, just set up some new pots and the ladies are letting me know they're getting to much nitrogen, so this sawdust seems to be an idea use right now

Week4@inCharge said:

My soils a little hot, just set up some new pots and the ladies are letting me know they're getting to much nitrogen, so this sawdust seems to be an idea use right now

Click to expand...

I ended up using the sophresh and it worked good but then just ended up ordering straw from build a soil.

16 days into flower in these pictures

1ManGrow said:

I ended up using the sophresh and it worked good but then just ended up ordering straw from build a soil.

16 days into flower in these pictures

Click to expand...

What angle is that first pic at?

That's showing roots down in the reservoir of the SIP I'm using.

Rice hills are easily available in any city. Brewers use rice hulls as a filter. I pay $30 for a 50#

go go kid said:

anything that hasn't decayed will use the nitrogen bactria in the soil before its available to the plants, well most of it anyway

Click to expand...

I concur, any natural mulch layer used will require some nitrogen to aid in the breakdown. I don't see any reason why not to use this Natural Softwood Small Animal Bedding. If you don't want to Amazon or mail order anything and that's all you can get then go for it.

Vermiculite. Recommended by 4 out of 5 microbes.

I grabbed 15oz of saw dust from Amazon for $15. Went to PetSmart and found 1386oz of sawdust (pine bedding) for $8.