Cecily, it smells like heaven for a month or two and would have longer if I’d been comfortable topping it off at that point. It developed mold when it was soaked but didn’t smell like mold. The mold was gone in two weeks. It is terribly slick in spots where it stays wet so plan for that. I’ve made flat rock paths where we frequently walk and purchased mats for the bottom of the deck and the patio door so we don’t track it on the deck. If the kids would wipe their feet diligently we wouldn’t need a second mat, but, you know how kids can be. I just noticed the jumping worms today. I wondered why the robins were getting so friendly. They knew we‘d ‘planted’ food for them. They jump so high that I though they were baby grasshoppers and my son thought they were baby frogs. And even the. We were impressed. Imagine my joy to see mini maggots instead. 😳😟🤢 I’m nearly certain that mine are NOT cheese skippers, but larva from picture wing flies, because I saw the stinkin flies lay their eggs around my little fish and snail pond. I dont know that there was anything I could do at that point other than getting rid of the mulch. I was afraid any treatment I could use might hurt my pets. And the mulch really is pretty, even after it’s been soaked. and smells good. And isnt slippery as long as it’s not in a little valley four feet below your pond. And the mold I had didnt smell, still allowed enough space to work, and did go away in two weeks. The stuff is fabulous for the soil, too. I do t know if anyone is still listening, but, again, check into ‘picture window fly larvae’ if you’ve never actually see. The cheese skipper flies near your mulch.

During the "warm" days at Christmas time, I sifted the raised beds I wanted to plant in early. Around the 1st week in March, I put in a prearranged group of seeds (anything that sprouts in cool weather)in those beds. I figure I'm cutting out the middle step using winter sowing ideas. If we had the projected rain, the seeds probably would be up by now. However, I am still waiting. A loose mulch of straw might be a good idea, till we get some real rain. Until then, I am moving many plants before they start growing with enthusiasm. ..............GL

To apriljs30: I understand that people and children will make noise, but what I live under is beyond excessive. I have used my digital recorder to prove that it is bad. I don't think anyone could keep their sanity. What you are doing is being a responsible parent. You are courteous since your children are put to bed on time and you don't have any late night parties and you are even doing your housework during the day. The people that live above me, never let their children out to play even when all of the other children are out playing. I believe that is cruel to have 4 small children prisoned in a 2-bedroom apartment. You always hear banging and a child is always crying. Without seeing anything, you cannot call DCFS on them. These children are running around and jumping on an off the furniture, to the point that I can hear all of their furniture rattling. (I have it on my recorder, numerous times) This doesn't just happen during the day, but all through the night as well. I had to go up there once at 12:30 am and again at 2am and the oldest child (about 4-5) was wide-eyed standing right next to the mother. I have numerous medications for me to be able to go to sleep and once I am asleep, it takes a bomb to go off for me to wake up or, like the 2am incident, her 4-5 son jumping on and off of her bed directly over my head. Once I am awake that is it for me, it doesn't matter what medicines are in my system and I have to work. She is on Section 8. (Sorry, I'm not trying to say that all section 8 people are like this) I have lost all of my patience and they are suppose to be moving into another apartment, at least that is what management told me. After this weekend, if they are not gone, then Building and Zoning will not only get another email from me, but also copies of my recordings. I'm done playing games with the ignorant family, the nonexistent management and going straight to the top. If they do not fix this, then Building and Zoning can fine the owners and then management has to explain why their complex isn't running as well as they thought. What you are doing is fine. Document everything just to cover your butt. Maybe they'll do what they want me to do is to move into another apartment. As for me, I was there long before she was. Why do I have to move when I've had no complaint against myself, my unit or my dog. No police has ever been called on me. She's had a few run-ins with the police in the 5 months that she has lived here. The witch has go!

Yes, some of those doggone nightcrawlers can be enormous, like small snakes. And very muscular. Creepy. But just worms. BTW earthworms (at least some species that are here?) are not native to the Americas. I had not heard of the Asian Jumping Worm but it looks a lot like a regular earthworm, with a very whitish or gray collar, whereas the earthworms and night crawlers we're used to have a much darker pink or brown collar. Also their collar goes all the way around, but those of European worms (which is where our 'native' worms are from) do not. Worms eat dead plant material so the biggest concern about these jumping worms seems to be that they may eat the leaf litter in forests faster than other worms and change the soil and moisture conditions.