Hardwoods take years to decompose. I'm not sure of any benefit to mixing them with Mel's Mix. I wouldn't do it myself.

Well, they'll certainly give you larger pores than sand will. They'd be good for containers, certainly. I guess it depends upon the purpose of putting the fines in your beds.

Dan

i ended up puting 4 - 2cu. ft. bags in the raised bed it only filled it about 2 inches , 14 more inches to go , maybe i'll put about 6 inches of straw next to try to keep the cost down .jim