We're thinking of getting a chipper too. We can't burn limbs and our trash pickup won't take them. Termites are everywhere so I don't think wood chips are going to bring them to a place where they weren't already there.

We have a chipper and everything either goes in the compost pile or gets chipped into mulch that I use in the garden. It packs down better and I really like to use it around the garden plants to keep weeds down. Haven't had any problems with termites. We've had the chipper for several years and it has been used a lot. We've had the blades sharpened once and that is it for upkeep. It is very loud and you need to be sure to wear hearing protection.

I am fortunate enough to have enough acreage to have a "compost pile" that I can just let decompose at it's own pace. This is where my critters live. The roadrunners really like it as it is in the donkey pen, and they keep the coyotes away.
During a year when we have enough rainfall, the flowers are beautiful around it as I compost so many things that I cannot save all the seeds from.

We get large yard waste bags from the grocery store and put the trimmings out with our garbage. The city collects the yard trimmings to make Dillo Dirt. If you are in Austin, this link might be helpful.

Chrissy

Here is a link that might be useful: Yard trimmings

I compost small stuff and leaves where I want my next bed. I compost from the house in a barrel. Large brances get cut to fit our little outdoor fireplace. PJ

The best is to try to compost as much as possible. We do the same as PJ, but haven't had an outdoor fire for a while because of the drought.

It seems there is some conflicting info on the internet about termites in mulch. Below is one link I found. I have always heard that you should keep mulch away from the house a few inches so there's no direct access. This also goes for carpenter ants which are a problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: Termites in mulch

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. If you have anything else to add, please feel free to do so.

Composting isn't a "good" option for us. Our yard is small and we have to be vigilant against mice, rats, snakes, and ants (!!!). Plus, I just watched a squirrel this a.m. comb over every square inch of my flower beds and veg gardens. Guess he was looking for old nuts?? I've found a few rooted out places this past week. I think the squirrel must have done that.

So, I've been nervous about creating a compost pile. Our lot is only 75 feet wide by 145 feet deep. Not a huge place to stick a compost pile at the back. Could do it... but I'm afraid of the critters.

Most of those critters won't disturb a compost pile if you only use vegetable matter and yard waste. Meat and dairy scraps invite critters.

Pam

Is there a community garden nearby that composts? If so, they might want your yard waste. You'd have to bag it up and take it to them, but it is a possible solution. They might even give you some compost in recognition of your donations!

I usually just mow over them. The only exception is rose canes that I throw away because of thorns. One time, I pruned all the dead turk's cap branches and I mowed them over with the bagger and used it as a mulch around plants.

You can buy fairly small composting bins. I even saw one that fit on a counter for offices.

We compost as much as we can. But with a lot of trees and hurricanes it is impossible to compost it all. The City of Houston had a competion to try and figure out what to do with all the debris they had. I have to go find out what idea won. The city of Galveston picks it up if you call them and it is turned into free mulch. They pick up if you don't call them but it is more likely to get mulched if you call.
Tally HO!

Chip up the brush & post it on craigslist, & I bet you'll get a lot of eager response!

ooh, love the idea of the wood chipper. And if you can't use all the chips, you can always find other gardeners who will want them. Post the extras to Freecycle or Craigslist in your area and you'll find someone who will come haul it off.

I have two 45-gallon trash cans that I'm using as worm bins. These are just old trash cans that had lots of holes in the bottom. Perfect for a worm bin. I've got them full of leaves and some branches and the worms are working on them. Branches take longer than leaves to break down. But if you have a lot of leaves, worms are great. I also put weeds and kitchen waste in there. I've never had a problem with any ants, rats, etc and mine are open. But you can also keep the worm bins closed to be sure.

I was watching Gardening by the yard this Sunday morning and he said not to put freshly chipped wood on your beds. It sucks up the nitrogen as it decomposes. Anyone heard of this?
Made, good suggestion for the worms. I just got 5 lbs this week since Ike killed all the worms on the island. I was going to dump some in the garden and make a bin for the others. I think I'll use a big trashcan.
Tally HO!

Tally, the theory is that it only sucks up nitrogen when you mix it into the soil, not if you use it as mulch. I get that info from the Soil, Mulch and Compost forum.

Pam

chickenmom, where did you take your chipper to have the blades sharpened? Also, what brand do you have? We're going to do a little shopping tomorrow. yippee :-)

I got one of these electric wood chippers last summer, and it's perfect for the amount of debris that I need to chip. It's not expensive, loud, or overkill for my yard.

I don't know how long it will last, but so far, so good!

Here is a link that might be useful: Electric Wood Chipper

I have one like jjmf too and it works well.

Um, the thing with nitrogen and soil is true. During the decomposition the mulch will take nitrogen from the soil, and then later give it back (so it isn't lost for ever).

You can easily fix it though by tossing down bloodmeal wherever you put wood mulch, voila, problem solved.

As for composting and critters. Get a tumbler or other enclosed composting bin, something with a lid. No critter problems that way. I've got a yard about the same size as yours and I've got 2 tumblers and a bin, all enclosed. The tumblers are a better value, getting me compost in a month to 6 weeks how I use them. The bin takes about a year and I only use it for overflow. I also have a "pile" for only woody stuff (no veggie waste the rodents would eat) back behind a spruce tree near the fence where no one ever goes.

Here is a link that might be useful: my compost tumbler, same place jjmf got his chipper I think

Thanks for the tip on bonemeal. I never knew that before about newly chipped wood mulch. It's about all I use, the city gives it away free. I have to go check and see if they have any this year. So many changes.

Found a new use for some. I ordered worms for the garden. Well, they are tiny, I'm worried about the salt level in the soil still so thought would grow them bigger. I've made 3 worm bins so far & used a fair amount of leaves, nuts, sticks, etc. from the pile. The worms are happy and eating, I'll get worm compost and get rid of the garden debris! Plus big, fat worms for the garden.
Tally HO! I have worms, I have worms!

LOL, Tally.

Thanks for the links jjmf and aspen. I want that tumbler!! Maybe for my birthday.

jjmf, can your chipper handle cedar tree limbs?

beachplant, where did you get worms for your garden? Are they earthworms??

The kind of worms used in worm bins will not live in soil. Vermiculture worms usually are Red Wigglers and they live in compost piles that have lots of waste, not soil. I've looked all over and can not find a source for earthworms...lots of Red Wigglers and Nightcrawlers but no earthworms.

I would love to know where you got yours if they are truly earthworms.

Belinda in Austin