Viewing post #1005566 by RickCorey

Shadegardener said:I used to dig in the previous years' wood mulch but I don't mulch with wood chips anymore - just shredded leaves.

Since I "poisoned" one bed by turning a lot of woody stuff under one year, I never do that. It grew a fine crop of ugly white, duty, hydrophobic fungus, and NOTHING else. Woody mulch: yes. Turn wood under? No. Hugelculture is different, wood UNDER the main root zone wouldn't bother me.

Shadegardener said: While I've disliked the look of perlite in garden soil,

ME, TOO! It makes my bed look like I'm growing pot, to my eyes. I like grit or crushed rock.

Shadegardener said: Speaking of forking (and I know I'm waaay OT), has anyone seen a very narrow turning fork? With all of my established perennials and shrubs, I could sure use one.

I never saw a narrow garden fork. For that kind of thing, i use my favorite "Sharpshooter" spade, or trenching spade. Long, narrow blade.