I think you might be out of luck on time, I am on the space (used to be until Obama!) coast of FLA. June starts the really hot season when the plants will need alot of water. I like to be at least 90 days from there when planting seedlings outside, so you should start your seed inside about July for a fall garden. If you plant now they might not be successful through the summer, Cucumber and tomatoes might be the exception, my cukes grew like crazy last summer. As far as your dirt as long as you fertilize and water you should be fine with your mix. Also you might want to know the ph of it cause too much one way is not good. Then again I have no idea what my ph is and I am in containers. All mine are growing great but I started in March with seedlings.

Here is a link that might be useful: robs urban farm 2

Halime: Are you sure you want a veggie garden to tend? You have enough to stress you out already.
If gardening soothes you, it will be time well spent.
If it's another worry, then leave the garden for next year.

The mix you have for the soil sounds fine; it reminds me of Mel's mix for square foot gardening.

You're in a very different climate than I am, so I don't know what normal planting times are for you. If it's late for planting in your area, you might do better saving the seeds for next year, and buying transplants this year.

Another possibility would be making the garden bed as you describe, but planting low-maintenance annual flowers to occupy the space temporarily and make you smile. Vegetables feed the body, flowers feed the soul. Stick with annuals that don't have deep roots or re-seed heavily, and you can take out the flowers whenever you're ready to devote time and energy to vegetables.

that is what I use in my raised beds, I don't do the whole mels mix thing like the perscribe, way to expensive, I use a mish mash of all kinds of stuff I find cheap. Do what is best for you and don't stress about it, plants are tougher than we think.

g'day halime,

in short yes, just create a mounded row and plant into it, or alternatively take a look at our bale garden, this gives support to the new medium until it settles then when bales have rotted away you will have free standing garden. no need to stick with straw any hay will do seek out spoilt hay which should e cheaper.

we pray for your husbands recovery.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens straw bale garden

Thank you all. Everyone on here is very kind.