Hi again, Michelle.
I appreciated this just as much on the second reading, and NOW I have some acorns in the bank to show my appreciation!
Re-reading it, I wondered about how much water is retained by the very coarse bark mix. I guess all the organic fertilizer-like additions help hold water. And, as the bark breaks down over 2-5 years, the crumbled fibers must hold a good amount of water. Does that sound right?
How often do you have to water a new bed? Can you water less often after the first 3-4 years?