I've been using Pine bark as part of my soil mix and it has proved to be excellent for drainage and just the right amount of moisture. It has been very difficult recently to find the right size. Even though its mini nuggets there were still some big chunks. This is what I've done a few times and has worked for me.
Open the bag and spread it on your drive way.


Then set your lawn mower to the lowest cut, and run it over the pine bark.

You end up with the best size of the pine bark that you won't find commercially.
Here is before and after.

That does make it a good size.
What do you add to make your soil mix?

 Great idea, I was facing the same problem I though I was done mowing for the year I guess the lawn mower comes out again. Question what method do you use to post your pics, I'm having a hard time trying to post pics
  Thank you
    Paul

Bass, you need one of these, just got one off of craigslist, steal of a deal, 8 hp echo bearcat chipper/shredder.

It gulps down yard debris.

I also add the bigger chips to the tops of my post, it really helps to cut down on watering and increases water retention in our dry how weather.

Not all of us are lucky enough to own a chipper or get one for a good deal. Otherwise i would've got one...:-)
I add the pine bark with perlite and peat moss for my soil mix.
Paul,
to upload pictures, you can setup an account on photobucket.com and upload your photos there first, then you can use the url and place images on this forum.

Paul,
What Bass said about uploading pics does apply here too.
But it is only necessary on the GW/FF, but not here
(no offense, Bass).
While posting , just click on "Manage Attachments"
and you can upload a file (including pictures) right off
your PC. Just watch the file-size-limit.

So much has been written about the use of pine bark in the soil preparation for good drainage. However, not much has been written for the reason as to why 'bark', and then why 'pine bark'?
What is the disadvantage of just using old wood chips (not current year) that can be found much cheaper or free.
I may be wrong but one advantage about the bark is its cellular structure for retaining moisture better than wood chips. I also imagine that since nutrients pass through the cambium part of the bark, there may be some residual nutrients as well but this is only my imagination without botany knowledge.
Inputs will be appreciated.

Pine bark lasts alot longer and with wood chips you will get mushrooms and other fungus and at least here in the south pine bark is cheap if not free.

Waw, figs as well as fresh mushrooms!

that would be great if the edible mushrooms would grow everywhere like the if I eat this will I die ones