After receiving a few phone calls on mulch and wood chips I decided to write on the subject.
There is a lot of hype surrounding mulch and wood waste but contrary to what people believe, it is not new to Guyana.
Most of you may not recall, but 23 and a half years ago, two commercial chipper/shredder machines were imported and commissioned in Guyana by the late B A Fernandes, AA,former chairman of the Botanical Gardens and National Parks Commission. The idea was that tree trimmings would be shredded to make mulch and tree bark would be chipped to make wood chips.
These products were to be used in the garden and park and the surplus would have been sold to the public. Fedrnandes retired shortly after commissioning the chipper/shredders.
From then on the industry should have grown into a commercial venture, maybe even exporting. It would be interesting to know what happened to the two machines at the Botanical Gardens.
For any entrepreneur who would like to get into this venture, a proper study must be done on the types of woods or shaving that can be used. Some varieties breed termites, while some woods contain resins which can be toxic to plant growth.
Many times, I tried to access wood shavings and saw dust from sawmills here, after explaining to the sawmillers what I would like and the use. I was assured by the sawmillers that I would get what I requested as there was no problem for them to do it.
Lo and behold when I collected same, the smell alone told me a different story. Several types of wood shavings and sawdust were mixed up in the bags. After several attempts, I gave up because I simply could not trust the people at the sawmills. (Continued next week)
NB: A Cassia fistula (Yellow Cassia) is in bloom at Ursuline Convent in Camp Street. What a lovely sight to behold!
Until next week, happy gardening.
