Hello, from Pasadena, CA

Hello! I am new to this forum but not to gardening. I started probably 20 years ago with 3 tomato plants after replacing some old roses, which was very difficult to do since my name starts with "Rosa," but very much worth it when we first tasted a ripe tomato. Two children later and Scouting projects needed to fulfill badges, we added a 8' x 4' raised bed. Drought in Southern California and learning more about gardening, lead to removing some St. Augustine grass, and the addition of a 4' x 4' bed. When my daughter adopted 5 chickens last year, we added a compost pile and now, I have added another 4' x 4' bed. This last bed is empty because I want to learn about fall planting, which is something I have never done. So, I am here to learn! I must admit, I love seeing pictures of the different gardens and methods members use to grow vining vegetables.

Well you are ahead of the game. You already have the structures and the compost. I hope you have read the SFG book because it is a wealth of information. But it sounds like you already are time tested. There is a little bit of a POV change but it is easily accomplished and it may be something you are already doing. The grid system is wonderful as a way to have little mini plots that you clear out and replant in a timely manner - it really does give you a max production schedule.

It is well worth bringing your soil up to Mel's Mix standards - even replacing what is there. There is no comparison and the soil does not harden - it stays wonderfully friable.

If your soil is mostly compost then just adding some vermiculite and peat would do the trick.

That said, think of these next 6 months as a very long spring. Lettuce, cabbage, peas, etc are all happy with the winter growing season.

And welcome. I am sure there is much you can teach us. Many gardeners here have only been at this a year or two. And as you know, in gardening there is always something to learn.