I'm looking for insights on using wood shavings versus straw for mulch. I have chickens and typically use large flake pine shavings around my tomatoes, especially with the colder weather coming up. I find that wood shavings break down better, which is why I prefer them, but I'm also curious about straw due to its coverage and moisture retention. My concern is that the wood shavings might mold. I've only really used grass clippings for mulching in the past. What do you all think?
3 Answers
I actually switch between both wood shavings and straw for my vegetable beds and find that both work great! I usually apply a layer that's 3 to 4 inches thick. The straw has some treatment to help it stay in place, and it's heat-treated to eliminate weed seeds. Since you’ve already got pine shavings for your chickens, using them for your tomatoes is a solid choice! When the season ends, I toss them both into my compost.
I prefer using wood chips along with some leaves and grass clippings from my yard. They break down nicely without molding. I've never used straw since wood chips are cheaper and work just fine for me!
I’m a fan of EZ straw and I find it gives good results. I’d choose pine shavings over wood chips any day since they break down better. If you've used grass clippings before, I say keep at it! It’s a free option after all!