[mickeyboy]

Hi all, i had a massive tree stump ground out a year ago and the chippings left behind are now well rotted and covered in a white substance

They have almost gone to soil like texture as they are so well rotted. I have just built some raised beds and thought this would be perfect to add.

Does anyone know whether this will be ok for my veggies as i thought it would be great?

Thanks everyone

Mickeyboy

[lucywil]

i would be inclined to use it on the top as a mulch, it will then gradually mix in with the soil.

[SG6]

Many years back there was something called mix-and-mulch. It was as best I recall composted bark chippings. I happily dug it into my patch of ground and it was pretty good. Have also used bark chippings as general mulch and eventually they get dug in.

So other then the white stuff. I cannot think of a reason why not.

The white stuff is as you know a fungus, just which one. From the brief description it is not a "large" fungus so that rules out the nasty things like honey fungus. Also have seen white stuff on the bark I have used, especially when it ahs become damp/wet.

I would dig it in as opposed to using it as mulch. Just a bit extra safety concerning the white stuff.

[mickeyboy]

Thanks fo all your help, i think i will dig it in.
Mickeyboy

[mickwood]

Sorry if this is hijacking the thread but could bark chippings be added to a compost heap?

[upert]

yes, add them. it will raise the acidity but lots of veg like that anyway. as i go on i'm getting less sniffy about certain things that go into the compost as long as they're natural and free.

[peterjf]

i read somewhere that all bark chippings have to be left for 4-5 years , other wise they deplete the nitrogen from the suronding soil

[sunshineband]

If the speed with which bark chippingd mulch down to be thivk brown sludeg in our tyre park I guess 4-5 yrs seems a very long time -- a year would be about right  with plenty of trampling of course  :D

[richyrich7]

yes, add them. it will raise the acidity but lots of veg like that anyway. as i go on i'm getting less sniffy about certain things that go into the compost as long as they're natural and free.

  I just chuck most things in, if it ever lived it'll rot is the motto, break big things up to increase the surface area seems to help a lot.