I just mulched with hay 2 months ago at the advise of my seasoned gardener friend. She instructed me to lay cardboard on top to encourage the worms to compost. I never heard her mentioned the weed seeds. I did want to add my experience with putting leaves in my garden last year.....our soil became acidic and hardly anything grew in it. In the fall, we did throw leaves in the garden but added limestone. She also had great success with rock dust. Hope that helps!

I dug a new garden in very clay soil. We had to add some dirt to make it work. My zone is 2b to 3a. Its hard to grow here as we can get frost as late as late June and then early September. This year it was June 9th and September 15th, I think. Due to this, I am going to try growing some things in cold frames next year, I hope. The cooler (spring and fall) crops do really well here and grow all summer. I had lettuce from June to October!

My other issue is the earwigs. We have a ton of them in my area. Not just me but other gardeners. The best method I found was using a shallow container like a tin plate, plastic container, fish can etc. and putting it into the ground 1/2 full of water, like a little inground swimming pool. Then fill it with a few drops of dish soap, about 2 tablespoons of veggie oil or olive oil, and if you can, a drop of fish oil or soy sauce. The earwigs are attracted to the smell and drown at night. You have to empty it every day. Also don't have things lying around for the earwigs to get into and hide. They come out at night. This method was much cheaper and much more effective than commercial natural earwig traps.

I used a variation of the square foot method. I did 3 beds- one 26x4 and two 12x4. I as always tempted to step across the big one though so I would say don't go more than 16 feet length or make a break. Have at least 4-5 feet between beds- things grow! I loosely used the square foot method of spacing things but do keep in mind what plants will grow tall and shade out other things or flop over and shade out other things, like tomatoes or beans. I planted my vines too close together and got cross polination. Next year I hope to try a trellis like in the new square foot gardening book that can support big heavy crops and then put each vine variety as far apart as possible.

Succession planting worked well for me to a point. I can't plant any new things later than mid August here to mature around mid September. Like radishes and spinach. I tried later and just wasted seed. I had fresh radishes June through August though with succession planting. I did try to put in some totally new crops as well after things were done but there simply isn't enough time in my area.

I learned about harvesting that pumpkins turn orange after they are brought inside, and beans freeze best when they are still on the smaller and thinner side rather than starting to get fat with seeds.

Herbs weren't worth it for me as its not hot enough to grow them big, and then I dehydrated them and got so very little for the amount of work I put into them. Next year I plan to focus on the things that do really well here. I want to plant more potatoes as they did really well too.

I hope this gives you an idea of what I learned.

You started your seedlings in March/April. Do you have a greenhouse to start them in? I would love to start my seedlings early, but I have no where to put them (no where that little fingers won't get them, anyway.)

And, just to tease you. Your garden isn't a square foot garden unless you mark off your square feet :-) (I was just reading his book.)

I was amazed at the amount of weeds I faced and now I know why - hay! Thanks for passing that lesson along.

I have never heard of square foot gardening, but I am going to try it!

I am also going to check out the links for seeds.

Thanks again for the great info!

b.t.w. If you read Wise Traditions, the latest issue has a great recipe for 'Fish Burgers' that my kids just loved! If you don't have the latest volume, email me and I'll send you the recipe - you'll love it and you can make the patties to freeze for later.