A question about my garden.

[Raven]

When I put it to bed last Fall, I covered it with newspaper and then a layer of straw. It has been under about 2 feet of snow all winter. What will I find when the snow is gone? Will the newspaper and straw be decomposed? If so, do I just till it into the soil or do I take it out?

[Imalittleteapot]

1. May not be totally decomposed --- but

leave it. Tilling will stir up unwanted weed seeds. Cover the muck with a layer of compost/top soil and plant. Add a layer of mulch after thinning seedlings or when perennials emerge. I don't know if this method is approved by anyone important, but I've been doing it for years and it has worked well.