If you could only give one piece of advice?

[WoodSprite]

[mention]Growing Coastal[/mention] - It's not as nutrient-rich as regular ole compost. But here's an interesting article on it.

https://extension.psu.edu/spent-mushroom-substrate

[JRinPA]

I have seen a lot of tri axle loads of mushroom soil over the years. I addition to chicken manure, there can also be a lot chicken and pigeon carcasses, and I have to think, some roadkill, tossed in for good measure...there were definitely some mammal parts last year. What you get in a delivery of mushroom soil can vary greatly. I'm not a big fan of the stuff, but it is better than nothing, and quite cheap here in giorgio land. Mostly it is the sometimes strong smell of urine that I can't abide. Fine for spreading on fields, but at times not pleasant for gardening.

I also feel obligated to point out that I don't consider PSU an independent party in this instance. The Farm Bureau has enormous clout in this state, and mushrooms are a big part of that, half of US production ($2.7 billion, yeah that's a B), so I would be shocked to see a PSU professor rocking the boat.

[karstopography]

How about roll with the punches? Unexpected freezes, endless rain, pounding hail, hurricane force winds, scorching sun, scarce seed, contaminated compost, herbicide drift, a plague of bugs, nematodes, garden long enough and one or likely many more things will challenge your best laid plans and ceaseless efforts. Gardening isn’t all sunshine and flowers, is it. Gardening and being overly brittle aren’t likely compatible unless maybe you live in Shangri-La, then I guess it could work.