Beginner Gardening: help under oak trees, 1 by dax080

dax080 wrote:
Hi, NatureLover - I'm just beginning to attempt to grow azaleas and rhododendrons, and would love to see any pics you may have. I think they are beautiful, but haven't had any experience with them - so all advice is welcome!

And Devildogs, I'm sending along another type of dead nettle for a pic.

And also, another section of paths in the shade -

And finally, are you ever lucky! I have one large oak, and their leaves are the best natural mulch grown. I vacuum and mulch all the leaves and then spread them over all the beds for the winter, after the first freeze. In the spring, when I uncover the beds, my DH vacuums them up, (which further mulches them) and puts them on a compost pile. They become compost very quickly! I know it may sound like alot of work but since your DH is like mine, and must clean them up anyway, you may want to take advantage! I haven't had to add additional organics to my beds for two years now, and the soil is luscious!

First, here's "Chequers." Green and white - taken yesterday.