Mulch your garden
One of the most popular uses for wood chips is as mulch for your garden. Mulch provides numerous benefits, including retaining moisture, regulating soil temperature, suppressing weeds, and adding nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. To use wood chips as mulch, simply spread a 5-10 cm layer around your plants, taking care not to pile it up against the base of the plant stems. This will create a barrier that helps to lock in moisture and prevent weed growth, while also giving your garden a tidy, uniform appearance.
Create a wood chip pathway
If you’re in need of a new pathway in your garden or want to create a rustic, natural-looking walkway, wood chips are the perfect material. Lay down a layer of landscape fabric to suppress weeds and provide a stable base, then spread a 5-10 cm layer of wood chips on top. The result will be an attractive, low-maintenance path that adds character to your outdoor space.
Enhance your compost
Wood chips are an excellent addition to your compost pile, especially if you’re in need of more carbon-rich “browns” to balance out the nitrogen-rich “greens” like food scraps and grass clippings. Adding wood chips to your compost will help to create air pockets, improving aeration and promoting the decomposition process. Just be aware that wood chips can take longer to break down than other materials, so you might need to give your compost a little extra time to mature.
Use as animal bedding
If you have chickens, rabbits, or other small animals on your property, wood chips make an excellent bedding material. The chips are absorbent and can help control odours, while also providing a comfortable and insulating surface for your animals to rest on. Be sure to replace the wood chips regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
Decorative touches
Wood chips can also be used to add a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor living spaces. Scatter them around the base of potted plants, use them to fill in gaps between stepping stones, or even create a unique, textured border around a garden bed. With their warm, earthy tones, wood chips can enhance the look of your garden and create a cohesive, organic feel.
So, don’t let those wood chips go to waste after your stump grind! With a bit of creativity, you can put them to good use in your garden, providing numerous benefits while also reducing waste.