@William
I assume by sharp sand you mean just that rather than rounded edged sand. It would provide better drainage and doesn't settle into a mass as the smooth edged stuff would. I could raise the level of two of my raised beds after digging up all the plants for safekeeping, skimming off the rather rounded top layer. They are surrounded by rather nice concrete decorative block but very expensive. Perhaps I could substitute treated timbers for the cap pieces then make a mixture of sharp sand, garden soil, and compost to refill. The one bed is rather narrow, only 2' across and 31' long. I of course worry about building it up as if we have inadequate snow, as last year, it subjects it to the spring freeze thaw cycle. I am sure it could use the improved drainage however. The beds are about four years old and have settled rather heavily. The only plants I would be concerned about moving are some peonies among which are Lemon Chiffon and a yellow draping form whose name elludes me at the moment. Certainly it is a spring project. Do you think sand would be preferable to say perlite? Granted perlite is not attractive in a garden bed.
@roosterlorn
I will look into finding the pine shavings. I could also run them through my grinder unless that would lessen the goal of introducing 'airyness.' I have sent a note to the botanical garden to ask for the left overs of spruce bows from a workshop on wreath making. I have straw and agree that it makes a terrible mess. Last year we used it to lighten the ground green stuff to keep it from clogging the grinder. Worked great and when it was all ground began to heat up immediately. You could see the steam arising from the green-straw-wood grindings. First and only time I have managed to achieve a mass that was 'working'. Mown grass will heat up but doesn't maintain the temp as it is all green and burns out fairly quickly.
Thank you both. It gives me much to think about and I do have time to implement some of it as our weather is holding really well.
