u/Broad-Pie4826

I have everything framed up now so it is going to look very similar to the render you can see on the second pic

Pulled up a garlic plant from my garden and thought this was a really cool visual of how roots respond to soil conditions.

You can clearly see the roots clustering and growing into the darker, almost black section of soil. That area is much richer in organic matter compared to the lighter, drier soil around it. It’s more crumbly, holds moisture better, and is likely where most of the microbial activity is happening.

The contrast made it pretty obvious that roots aren’t just spreading randomly — they’re actively growing toward the most favorable environment. In this case, that means better structure, more nutrients, and more biological life.

This bed has been amended with compost over time, and I’m guessing this darker zone is where a lot of that organic material has broken down and accumulated.

Curious what others think — would you say this is mainly driven by moisture gradients, nutrient availability, microbial interactions, or a mix of all three?

What do you think?

So the back of the alley is soon going to be chipping zones (currently just compressed DG) then comes a 2x4 retaining wall and then I left a gap in the deck that is about 1.5 long or so…(sand or water feature??? Possible) then the deck comes which will be padded with stable mats and then I have to decided on an artificial rough to put in that area. To the sides of this rough going to do landscape fabric, 1/4 inch crush compresses, DG (I get it for $12 a yard because I’m 8 miles from a pit on the eastern sierra Nevada’s. Sand on the other hand cost closer to 30-60 a yard depending on what you want. Would love to put plants but this ally gets no light at all.

After that comes the fringe deck in which I’ll put either a 1/2 rubber or maybe just 1/4 poly type pad with some sort of fringe nylon grass.

Am curious if anyone can think of a good risk reward to the side of the fringe because it is much more skinny then the rough. Here I think the compressed DG would be perfect.

Then last but not least the nylon green with kiln sand infill at a 10-11 Stephen….i have those tilting greens so I am thinking I can make this a fun training hole???

Any advise would be appreciated

I know I need to add a pea gravel base, but besides that I think im doing alright, it is going to be dual sided so one side is chipping putting while other is into net/screen. What do you think??