David,
Thanks for your post. I also have several large white oaks and I use my bagger on the garden tractor for collecting them. They are already shredded; and all I have to do is spread them where they are needed. The winter snows here help in keeping them in place. Not only do they protect the soil from winds, but they attract earth worms and beneficial insects. In our blistering summers they help conserve moisture and keep the soil cooler at the base of the plants. In the decomposition process they provide nutrients to the soil and plants.
I use wheat straw from neighboring farms for the vegetable gardens, especially unstaked tomatoes and potato plants. Straw is a great amendment to sandy soils and is perfect for keeping soil off the tomatoes and peppers. In spring I simply rototill old straw into the soil. Below is an example of straw around tomatoes. And the second picture shows a mix of shredded leaves and pine needles; then the third shot is a hyacinth blooming in a layer of leaf/litter mulch. The last picture is at the edge of a lily garden where I spread a thick mat of shredded oak leaves.
This is a lesson I learned gradually over the years through trial and error. Mulching makes a huge difference (for me at least). Once again, thanks for your input.
