Laura,

Wood shavings and mulches do not leach nitrogen from the soil when they are placed on top of the soil. The nitrogen-leaching issue can occur when wood is mixed into the soil...like when you rototill it into the soil. So, I don't think pine shavings on top of the soil are a problem, but I haven't used them that way myself (we don't have a pet rabbit or pine shavings) so someonee who has experience with them may be able to give you hands-on advice I lack.

Rabbit manure, though, is WONDERFUL.

Dawn

Kaitsmama,
Yes, what Okiedawn told you, you can pretty much take to the bank. When mixed into the soil, wood (shavings)etc will steal nitrogen from the soil, but it will return. I use horse stall shavings on my garden for mulch, and have had no trouble at all that I can tell. On another subject, I just fought a small war here with Cutworms, and I almost spit when I say it. I had transplanted my tomatoes over a two day period and about noon on the second day, as I walked down a row isle, it was like I was in a lumber camp. My tomato plants were falling over like a lumberjack felling timber. As I had taken no precautions, ie, nail beside the plant, collar around the plant etc, I just had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I quickly found some small bamboo sticks (about 3/8 of an inch in circumferance), and alighned them beside the plant stems. I lost 5 that day and 3 the next but it has leveled out now, I have not lost one since yesterday. Anyway use all the shavings you want to, as I dont think you will have any trouble.
Best of Luck to everyone,
Bill

Bill,

Sorry to hear about the cutworms. I hate them. At least you noticed it early and could save most your plants.

Dawn

Thank you Bill and Dawn! I am still adjusting to knowing nothing, and appreciate all of your advice!

Bill, I just heard of cutworms and they do not sound friendly. I hate that you lost some of your plants, but glad that it seems to have leveled off...

Laura

Concerning cutworms. Years ago we planted a green manure crop in the garden over the winter. We quit doing it for two reasons. The first and most important was the deer. With only a 4 ft fence, the deer jumped in to eat the cover crop and came back for the veggies.

The other reason was cutworms. We learned that if we tilled the garden in late fall/early winter and again a couple weeks before planting in the spring that we cut the cutworms way way down. We don't till to cultivate during the growing season though, but hoe and mulch instead as by then the earthworms are up and we don't want to kill them.