A Science-based Strategy: Wood Chips as a Soil Amendment with Clay Antieau
For our next Pines and Pints event, senior environmental scientist Clay Antieau, M.S., Ph.C. will discuss the use of wood chips as a soil amendment. Wood chips are commonly used as mulch. However, this use is based on misconceptions and narrow understandings of the function of wood in and on soil. A more strategic use of wood chips in ecosystem restoration and ornamental landscapes in the Northwest has potential to be importantly transformative. This presentation explores how wood chips as a soil amendment remediate soil compaction; enhance soil nitrogen cycling; increase soil water availability; diversify soil food webs; and support healthy plant growth. Diverse plant communities with healthy plants resist pests, diseases, and invasion from noxious weeds—resulting in reduced need for application of herbicides and other chemicals. Put wood chips to work!
Clay Antieau is a horticulturist, botanist, wetland science practitioner, and restoration ecologist offering unique abilities and perspectives in the plant sciences, environmental education, and science communication. He’s a senior environmental scientist with the City of Seattle’s Seattle Public Utilities and a former long-time Instructor and Advisor with the University of Washington’s Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Program in Wetland Science and Management. He’s a Fellow, Past-President, and past Chapter Chair of the Washington Native Plant Society; and Past-President of the Northwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from Clay after enjoying the fun of a PlantAmnesty auction and delicious potluck dishes!
P&Ps are a free benefit for members.
Registration before the event is not required, though we encourage pre-payment ($10) for non-members.
Please bring your favorite potluck dish; homecooked or store-bought, we won’t judge!
Doors open at 6:30 pm, so come early to share in the potluck and be ready for our program at 7 pm. We will start with a lively auction of some great plants and gardening-related items, moving on to our presentation at roughly 7:20.
If you are a PlantAmnesty member there is no entry fee. Bring a friend! Non-members’ entry fee is $10.