I think there is dirt, soil and "stuff". I am gardening in "stuff". The slope where they cut out the house pad and gardening area (almost 50 years ago) is glacier debris/subsoil. It is tightly compacted small rocks and stones with clay between the rocks and it is dead and cannot support plant growth. It's not dirt because I don't track mud into the house even after a heavy rain. It certainly is not soil because there is no organic material in it. So, I call it "stuff". The areas where I have not cultivated still do not grow weeds after nine years of gardening. It does drain very well due to the rocks. Almost like a peculation bed. The uncultivated parts are now called "paths". I'll get to them.
I have mulched with forest duff, pine needles, oak leaves, wood chips, compost and more twice a year ... not all at once ... and have brought the top few inches of the stuff to life ... I couldn't afford to have someone come in and till it ... I still cannot dig deeply with a shovel, but I have plenty of worms and other living things in the areas I have turned into beds. Further down than the top few inches, the rocks are loser than they were when I started, so it is easier to use a pick.
I still cannot go completely organic because organics disappear far too quickly during the high temps of summer, but I can use more organics now than when I started. I also get plenty of weeds in the areas I have cultivated, which to me is a sign that the soil is coming to life. No, I don't like weeding any more than anyone else, and yes, the mulching helps keep the weeds down, but a little part of me is always glad to see them because of the areas that won't grow weeds.
Smiles,
Lyn
