Garden Update -- Politics-free! I promise! ;-)

I've been feeling terribly thwarted lately by the dang rain. I'm quite sure it's personal. Just when I got the bermuda graveyard rototilled and 2 tons of stone delivered to build my beds, it started raining. The whole backyard is mud soup, and I can just HEAR the weeds growing. However, there are signs of hope: Davey Tree Co. finally called me back to talk about delivering a truckload of free mulch (shredded tree trimmings), which I plan to use to keep the weeds down, build pathways, etc. If you've never done this, it's a great way to save money and recycle at the same time. I got some shredded tree from the work done at our neighbor's house last spring, and it's worked great. It makes nice pathway areas (you can lay cardboard underneath for greater weed prevention), keeps moisture in the soil, and as it decomposes it contributes more fungal organisms and other microscopic goodies to the garden microclimate as a whole. Doesn't float away like the bagged, shredded stuff can, and it lasts longer too. The only caveat is to keep it relatively clear from the crowns of newer plants, as it's fresh and can be a bit harsh for them in the early decomposing process--but really, I didn't pay much attention to that, and I have had no problems. Of course, as soon as the giant pile of tree trimmings gets dumped on the driveway or the cul-de-sac out front, I fully expect days and days of rain. I guess I'll throw a tarp over the top, and hope the neighbors don't curse me too loudly...