SawDust/Woodchips

When planting outside and it is time to prepared the soil, can I use sawdust/woodchip in the mixture to help retain water. Also I have kelp readily available, can I also mix it into the soil.

i imagine it would depend on the type(s) of sawdust and chips you use. what did you have in mind? i would think that it would be a slow feeding additive if anything.

The sawdust is from a local Lumber mill . The logs are from the local area and there is an unlimited supply of Sawdust and Woodchips.

I have grown regular vegetable's in it, with a mixture of soil and Kelp(also unlimited). Was wondering if there would be a problem that anyone knew off.

I was also thinking it would also retain water.

the only problem i know of is that uncomposted woodchips and sawdust zap nitrogen from the soil so you will have to fertilize more, which is not really a organic thing but will work, yes you may use organic ferts but the idea is to use less with organics and build up the soil not add ferts

you should experiment and document the different types of wood chips/dust. id imagine that a wood like pine would fuck with the pH.

The only way I would use them is if they where composted ALOT.
If you are trying to grow kind bud raw wood chips (even less than 10%) won't do much because all your fert will be going to decompose the wood, then when flowering comes the wood will give you nothing.
Also wood chips are really acidic; tomatos might like it but not Mary Jane.