@Oberon46 I also add coffee grounds. Starbucks will collect for you if you give them a bucket. They are a good nitrogen source. They make up about 1/4 of the mixture. Kitchen scraps have very little nutrition. You can have some of those in there, but it is best to vermipost those.
The perennials are more able to push through the mulch, especially if you mulch with shredded leaves. I mulched with shredded leaves last fall, and this year it is more vigorous than ever. I spread a very thin layer of compost on them this spring. Here are some pics. Feel free to ask more questions.
