I probably wouldn't recommend the extra layers of newspaper between the other layers in your mix unless you are talking about shredded paper to act as a "mulch" material. I would recommend the bottom layers of newspaper/cardboard. (Then if you really want to perhaps some of your clay/granite but you really may not want/need that in truth) Then whatever mulch material, something with nitrogen (alfalfa pellets are good and you don't need huge amounts of them) Some of the composted manure, more mulch etc. I know many people say wood mulch or wood chips arn't so good but if you have them mixed with strong enough greens and some compost and are kept moist, they break down too. Are you planning to grow food in these beds? When are you going to plant in them? There are compelling reasons not to use fresh manure on food beds but these are mostly time related. If you put down fresh manure in the mix, you should not plant food cops in there for quite some time. The amount of time depends on the type of food crop and how long till harvest. I'm guilty of putting grass clippings into my compost and around my garden. Sure, some neighbors probably do weed and feed their lawns but I suspect that they don't do it right before mowing and most of the possible residues are going to be taken care of in the composting process. That is just me and other people will have their own comfort zones. If you need another source of nitrogen, I know one that is free (actually better than free since it might save you money on the water bill) I know some people will think eww yuck, but urine is a great source of nitrogen (and other nutrients) for the garden, compost, and lasagna bed. If you are worried about pathogens, just bottle it for a few weeks which will kill off any that a healthy person is likely to be carrying. Granted, perhaps this doesn't count as certified organic practice but it works very well. Urine is a strong enough green to do a good job on materiasl like wood chips, sawdust, leaves, paper, cardboard etc. Here is a link that might be useful: TCLynx

guilt schmilt ... GET RID OF THEM .... for me.. it would ONLY involve guilt .. if you were to go net negative on mother earth .... in other words.. rip them up and put in a parking lot .. as joni said once ... otherwise.. you will be planting a plethora of new plants to offset the removal ... the happiest day in the life of my first house.. was getting rid of the last overgrown ugly never pruned 20 foot tall weed shrubs the prior owner left behind ... my only problem , was that it took me 5 years to come to the conclusion that removal was the only option .... be done with them .... renovation projects are for the back 3 acres.. not the front of the house .... good luck ken

The rose garden is beautiful and full of blooms. Please come by and visit Saturday morning before it gets above 80 :). Free. No admission price; however donations gladly accepted.

Hey dr, I am confused by our ceanothus. I took several 8 inch woody cuttings of all three varieties that we have (concha, skylark, and yankee point) and at first they seemed okay. I put them in moist soil covered with a plastic tent. Well, they all failed after a few weeks but one - one of the conchas - and it still looks as happy as the day I cut it. Which was two months ago, but it hasn't even hinted at roots yet. I have also tried rooting small cuttings of these three. Like 3 inch cuttings without much woodiness in the stem. It's too soon to say whether those will root or not. No attempts to root our manzanita, though we are talking of pruning them and I may put some in water or something to see what happens. Our ribes cuttings looks like they will take hold. As for seeds vs cuttings --- I suspect that when I get the knack of propagating by cutting I will be a convert. In the meantime I really enjoy finding seed pods on some roadside plant, and harvesting the seed. The plant ID process is fun too. Several of the seeds I have are from dried up seed pods on a park specimen of this or that - and I have enjoyed learning the species names of the common plants around here. There is uncertainty about traits breeding true, I suppose, though for some species there seems to be only one variety around so it wouldn't seem to be a concern. Anyway, good talking to you! patty