Thank You Sylvia and Ceth... Glib, I have done Decomposed Granite from the outset, so I don't know any difference, I learned before I built my beds the possibility that it enhances Clayish soils while also contributing to the soil food web, this is my initial take on it and what motivated me to try it, so far ,it has worked splendidly ;-) Decomposed granite is a rock powder and is an excellent amendment for clay soils. All rock powders are great sources of minerals and micronutrients. All growing soils need them. As the microbes and macrobes like earthworms, digest the insoluble minerals, they break down into the various soluble micronutrients that all forms of plants need. For example, limestone rocks are rich in calcium. Granite rocks are rich in potassium, etc. Seaweeds of course are the king of micronutrient fertilizers and soil amendments. There can be up to 70+ trace elements in seaweed. In locations where seaweed is not readily available; rock powders is one answer to the problem. Research continues to reveal that insoluble tiny particles like rock powder minerals, can be easily digested or absorbed via microbial activity, over time, into the anatomy of growing plants, thriving in the presence of rich organic compost. Obviously a heavy clay soil is very difficult to initially dig, whereas a sandy loam is much easier. Heavy clay soils can be improved considerably by adding a lot of sawdust and mason's sand. DO NOT use beach or river sand! Mason's sand, being crushed granite, has sharp edges and actually loosens the soil. One of the least understood aspects of gardening is that of capillary action of the garden soil. It is a proven fact that compressed earth has a better capillary action than undisturbed soil. That is why gardening books tell you never to walk between rows in a regular garden, as that encourages weed growth. And of course people are told never to step in a French Intensive bed and thus compress the soil. But the capillary action is absolutely necessary to bring water up to the roots of growing plants to promote good and deep root growth. In regular garden rows, it is easy to roll a heavy 2 or 3 inch wide weighted wheel (mounted on an axle and handle) down the row directly over the freshly planted seeds, which will then promote deep root growth along that line. The spaces between the rows are than rototilled to eliminate footprints prior to the initial watering. The basic concept of French Intensive gardening is that raised beds are created which have humus added, and the whole bed is light and fluffy to a depth of two feet to promote fantastic root growth. The beds are typically 4 feet wide and 12 or more feet long, with 3 foot paths between the beds.

Did you disturb the soil when you did the renovation? Seeds can sit in or on the soil for up to 30 years in a few cases waiting for the right conditions to happen. The constant sprinkling makes everything germinate - your seeds and the weeds too. For the Clover, you can get Ortho's Clover/Chickweed/Oxalis Killer (or anything with 8% Triclopyr), which can be put down with a hose-end sprayer. It works. Keep in mind however, that large amounts of Clover are a sign of low fertility. Find about why the fertility is low, or it will be back.

That looks fine. It does seem like a lot but when you spread them, you end up with only 1/3 of an inch of layer. I've used push broom as I found it to be the most effective of all the tools. You should see a lot of improvement this year. All you have to do from now on is fertilize with organic fertilizer starting next week and every 3 months thereafter. They are food for microbes in the soil that came with the compost and will multiply and improve the soil for you. After 2-3 years, the soil is much improved for sure. It's hard to tell which grass you have but if you have st augustine, i highly recommend that you mow at 3 inches in the spring and 4 inches in the summer if your mower is able to go that high to conserve water. Most years, Houston gets enough rainfall but if you need to water, make sure to water deeply, about 1 inch of water. My rule of thumb on when to water is just by looking at the lawn. If 50% of the lawn is wilted, it's time to water. You should be able to last at least a week initially but could improve to 2-3 weeks after a couple years with much improved soil.

It's very common in the Dallas area for dogs to be left out 24/7. It enfuriates me, but there's a certain mentality here that dogs are meant to be outside, especially hunting dogs, or big dogs. It doesn't matter if it's going to be 20 degrees outside or 110 degrees, that dog is staying outside. My neighbors have a real sweet Australian Shephard that stays outside 24/7, by herself, while their pack of obnoxious little chihuahuas get to be inside. Go figure. (No, I don't hate chihuahuas, but these particular ones are obnoxious.) Sally