I decided to make some changes in the raised bed kitchen garden, for easier gardening. I added another level of 2 X 6, so the bed is 6 inches higher, then added a 2 X 6 edge to each side to support me. I can lean or sit on that edge. This bed contained bearded irises that never did well. I moved them to a sink-or-swim out of the way border, where they will either grow, or not. That gave me a new bed to plant seeds that grow for fall kitchen crops.
I used old seeds, turnips, Chinese radish, Chinese cabbage, Daikon.
That was last week. They do need daily watering, but otherwise no special care. Some rows have germinated nicely. It's possible that some seeds were too old, and I intend to replant today.
I didn't label the rows. I think some of the Chinese cabbage did not germinate, and one of the two rows of turnips. Those seeds were 5 years old.
The current raised bed arrangement is 12 4 X 8 foot raised beds, 1 foot high, separated by mowed grass paths about 3 feet wide. Those paths are too narrow for a riding mower. The plan, which will develop as crops mature and are gone in the fall, is to replace the 2 middle rows with 1 middle row. That will make paths wide enough for riding mower, which really reduces maintenance. The sides will be higher, with edge as described for this bed. Most of the wood will be reused from either the old beds, or from a deck that I tore apart this Spring.
