The Efficacy of Red Oak Sawdust as a Mulch to Control Grass and Weeds in Organic Wild Blueberries

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE96-136.

We found that there appeared to be a difference in the plots with the sawdust having an effect upon weed suppression and blueberry growth, though the results were not conclusive.

Organic blueberry growers who attended the field day were very interested in the observable differences in the plots since even the slightest-reduction in weeds translates to a more economically viable crop (because organic production is so highly labor intensive).

An unexpected finding is that although the red oak sawdust may not have a dramatic biological herbicide effect on weeds, it may be beneficial as mulch.

A successful field day was held on October 17th, 1997, with several major organic growers in Maine attending. They were interested not only in our experiment results, but our experiment spurred their interest in doing sustainable agricultural research.

• FNE96-136 Final Report