Using Cedar Sawdust in the Vegetable Garden: Effects on Germination and Soil Moisture

Q: I do a lot of woodworking and have lots of sawdust. Last spring I put a layer of cedar sawdust on my vegetable garden. I wasn't happy with plant growth from beans, eggplant, radishes, etc. Is there something in cedar that inhibited growth?

I don't think cedar sawdust inhibits plant growth. However, it probably inhibits seed germination like most tree sap extracts do.

Sawdust of any kind can get wet and be slow to dry, inhibiting soil drying between rains.

I'd use an inch layer of sawdust/shavings under landscape shrubs but not under flowers or vegetables.