And if winter ever comes... you can let it do some of the heave work by breaking up clods of turned soil with the freeze/thaw cycle

Winter digging is a routine technique over here where the ground seldom freezes. The idea is to dig roughly and leave large clods. Then if/when it does freeze the clods break down and can be raked to a tilth in the spring. Try not to walk on the soil while digging - use a board to stand on. And don't dig very wet soil.

The only time I'd be concerned is if the soil is heavy clay, because it's usually wet in the winter even if it's not frozen. Other than that, dig away.

I still have fall stuff to do, too. Just finished getting the last of the leaves up yesterday, and I still have compost to spread on a garden bed or two.

Thanks all.

If we don't have more freezes it's going to be a buggy year, next year. Still a couple months to go ..

Ooh, I hadn't thought about that yet. Sheesh the ticks will be horrid in Missouri next year. Nice knowin' y'all - I'll just say that now before my blood gets sucked dry in the spring.

LOL Tox, It could get ugly!

Get some Permethrin! I put it on a set of clothes in the spring before I start Morel hunting and it works well. I will see ticks crawling up my pant leg and then just suddenly drop off. It will last a few weeks and thru several washings.

I was a diggin
now I'ma swimmin