"jacksf" wrote in message
. com...
Last year I planted an Asian garden in my front yard, actually did just
1/2 the yard. Heavy clay soil, rototilled about 8" of amend into the
soil, then went down 12" and re-tilled it again. The 1/2 I planted came
out excellent, even put in a little pond with a bridge over it.

After I finished all the planting I spread large redwood bark chips to
keep down the weeds and conserve water/prevent runoff but the front
part, that I didn't plant, I used small bark chips as weed control. It
worked fine.

Its now time to start on this years planting and was wondering if I
could just turn under the redwood chips or do I have to rake them off
and bag 'em up for use end of season. The local people I have talked to
around here (Northern Calif) don't seem to know so I thought I would
toss it out here.

Thanks

Jack

Just till 'em in. They will help to break up the heavy clay and improve the
soil structure by increasing pore space. Because they are redwood, they
won't decompose very rapidly but they certainly are not worth the bother of
raking off and reusing. Add any other soil amendments as desired/needed and
till it all together. Apply a new layer of mulch when you are finished
planting.

pam - gardengal