Wow! Great answers all! Dennis, I have looked at Hugelkulture on Pinterest - very interesting but it looks like a big job for this year anyway. Sandy, definitely good stuff on the soil preparation and weed control, I do have a rain barrel and may try to hook up another as well as a drip system this year as mine fell into disrepair. I never had an Opuntia salad but I do love eggplant Parmesan and hot peppers! Now Elaine, I will definitely look up those Earth Boxes and I also have a good deal of southern exposure where I have fried many a young plant! Thanks again all of you for taking the time to help me - wishing you all a bountiful harvest !
