I'm so glad to see this thread revived!
Tee, the shingle idea is a really good one. A friend of mine has a veggie garden enclosed in electric fencing and has used shingles to keep weeds and grass from growing underneath. Works like a charm. You can mow right up to it and over it without displacing the shingles, so no additional edging is needed.
Maridell, I can't speak highly enough about wintersowing. I was so terrible for many years at seed starting till I discovered the wintersowing method. I also use milk jugs cut with a hinged lid for starting cuttings, that little greenhouse it provides is great for keeping the humidity just right.
