Getting mycelium to grow through mulch (using woodchips) can take several years depending on soil and climate. Dried nettlestalks are woven together after only one wet season, elderberry woodchips followed few months later!

Where cloning berriebushes by layering normally can take up to half a year or more in this wounderfull duff it only had to make little contact in order to shoot new roots!

Following nature's example by using pioneers to prepare the land for further plantings is the least labour intensive way and it WORKS!