Just starting to experiment with permaculture for my small 2 acre lot that mostly consists of virginia pine, blackjack oak and cedar. We have removed enough of the pines to begin planting but my question relates to building up the soil. For the past couple of years I've let the leaves and pine needles decompose so that they could build up the thin organic layer (most areas of the yard its just red clay) But now that I'm starting to put in trees (apple and persimmon), perennials, and living mulch (dutch clover) I'm wondering if I should begin continually removing the leaves/pine needles to attempt get a more neutral soil (currently the soil ph ranges from 5.0 to 6.0) or should I just let the leaf/needle mixture stay to assist in the soil build up process. Any thoughts?
