We have laid the layer of wood in this picture, next we added a layer of leaves, then a layer of compost and then covered it with straw. We will be planting in it soon. In the summers here we are very dry, this wood will retain moisture. This has been a pasture for cattle and horses, the soil is compacted and is a sandy gravely loam once in a flood plain part of the river system.  The Applegate river now dammed for irrigation and soon power, rarely floods.