Looking for some suggestions. I'm currently prepping a few beds in my garden. Some are done and already growing things but planting season really starts here for us on North Vancouver Island in May. One of my beds was covered with weeds. I don't what kind. But the whole bed is infiltrated with the root system of the weed and it's like a fine mesh. There is no breaking up the soil. Does anyone have any ideas on how to restore this bed? Cover for the season? Get rid of the soil and start again?

Goal: richer soil, steady moisture, and regular harvesting. I am working through a Leaf & Allium Guild idea for a bed that likes richer soil, steady moisture, and regular harvesting. My anchor green choices are: Steady leafy anchors: Beet greens, kale, collards, or chard. Better for summer heat: Amaranth greens or New Zealand spinach. Quick cool-season options: Lettuce, spinach, tatsoi, or bok choy. My support plants could be: Leeks grow upright and use space differently than the leafy greens. Chives along corners or edges, and allowed to flower for beneficial insects. Tulsi on a sunny edge if there is enough room, although do not want to crowd. Simple layout Place the anchor greens in the back half or north side of the bed. Plant leeks in lines along the front or side bands. Tuck chives into corners or edges. Add tulsi only where it has sun and breathing room. I would keep lavender, rosemary, and sage out because they prefer leaner, drier, sharper-draining soil. Lavender, rosemary, and sage fit better in a dry herb bed. The goal is to let each plant have a role. The leafy green gives the main harvest. Leeks and chives add the allium layer. Tulsi adds flowers, scent, and pollinator support if space allows. Mulch keeps the soil covered and moisture steady. Each plant doing a job. What would you add or subtract?

The plan today was to make a cut in the soil at the new project, it rained last night and is going to rain again for the next few days. Two things are stopping me; after the change in weather all the little flies that bite have appeared and its impossible to be outside in one place for more than two minutes before they find you , and I also have lost my spade, looking everywhere is not that simple when its a big place. Generally I have two of everything, the cutting spade is unique in that it's just worn the way I like it and very sharp . Looking like it's plan B .

Now the pieces come together. Biointensive gardening gives us: - spacing - structure - efficient production Guild gardening gives us: - plant relationships - diversity - functional support Sheet-style layering gives us: - protected soil - food for biology - moisture buffering - long-term soil building from above Together, this becomes Biointensive Guild Gardening. A way of gardening that is: - productive - resilient - biological - practical for small spaces How would you describe your plant spacing right now?