If you plan a raised vegetable garden, using the mulch as the basis for a lasagne-type planting area can get you a head start. Layer on newspaper or cardboard first, then the mulch. As hardwood mulch is slow to breakdown and alone is not sufficient to provide a good planting medium, add whatever other organic matter you have on hand in layers - grass clippings, fall leaves, kitchen scraps, sod removed from other planting areas, any animal manures (herbivore only) you can locate, etc. If you start now and add enough additional "green" material, your veggie garden area should be ready to plant in spring with a rich, well-draining, organic soil.

+1 to gardengal's advice, although that'll probably still leave you with a lot more mulch than you need. If you want to store it a tarp placed under and over it will slow the decomposition process.

And don't forget you could always offer the left overs to your neighbors... ;-p

I will give that a shot.

What exactly is a lasanga-style planting area?

You build a lasagna garden like you build a lasagna for dinner- in layers. Gardengal did a good job on the "cliff notes" of the process. Put down corrugated cardboard or thick layers of newsprint first, which will kill off the lawn and any weeds, and keep them from fighting through as the materials rot. Add green and brown organic matter which can be layered or mixed together. You could make it any depth from probably 6 to 18 inches, or even more if it's destiny is to be a raised bed. Browns on top (your mulch) will help to control any odor. You will then be left with wonderful, rich soil in the area.

For ingredients google "compost ingredients" and you will find many suggestions, any organic matter can be used.

Also, if you google "lasagna gardening" you will find much information.

Good luck. It's fun and it works. Let us know how you make out.

Karen