On Sun, 6 Mar 2005 08:49:29 -0700, (Rusty
Richards) wrote:

As a newbie, I will be sanding a lot of red oak and wanted to know what
will happen if I put the saw dust in the garden? The soil around here
is mostly clay. Is this what it needs?

Newbie Joe

Fresh sawdust placed in the garden will deplete the soil of
nitrogen--don't do this. Instead, create a heap of 50/50 sawdust and
grass clippings and turn it every couple months. The initial heap
should be at least 3x3x3 foot for composting to work well. After 3-6
months, it will be composted and can use used in your garden. If you
don't use grass clippings (or green clippings), the sawdust will take
much longer to compost. Adding compost to clay soil will greatly
improve it.