Oh Arlene. I feel really bad that you have had such a lousy year on the veggie gardening.
Yes, I think it makes a major different to put out plants and mulch right away. One never seems to get back to it and the weeds take over. Mulch right away and it stays clean. And the excessive rain you have had your way. I saw a report on the news that the farmers your way have the watermelons just rotting out in the fields. All this from the rain.
Years of drought and then this year excessive rain. One can't win!
Take a break, get organized and things will look much better.