I've never made a garden the way you are so can't comment on that but wanted to warn you about your sinus infection which you think came from the wood chips. Be very careful. There was a thread on GW (I can't remember if it was Florida forum or elsewhere) that was on this very topic.
Some very nasty mold can get in your system and lay you low for quite a while, even hospitalization.
Not everything that is natural is benign.

BTW good luck on your new garden. Hope someone can answer your questions.

Nothing to be nervous about. There's really no way to do it wrong. Just look at The Earth. Plants grow from the arctic to the equator and from sea level (actually below) up to the tree line (and actually above). They grow in river delta enriched soil, in sand and in the cracks between rocks. You'll grow all the seeds and weeds you want in Florida. Of course, you'll also kill some plants and have some eaten by every type of bug you can imagine. Your lawn service will whack a few out of existance and the sun will dry some up. The heavy rain will wash out a few - some years it will wash out all of them - but they'll either grow back or you'll plant more. Every plant that dies leaves a space for the others to get bigger or for that new variety that just caught your eye. Then you'll have to find new places for the plants you get at swaps.
One day you'll be thinking that you will never have room for all the plants you want and then two weeks later you'll wish you had kept it to one small bed because you can't find time to weed everything you have.

You do have time to start some seeds and it's as easy as throwing some potting soil in little cups and dropping in the seeds. Or buy one of those trays at Walmart with the plugs in it and a package of seeds. Problem solved in less than 30 minutes! But don't stress because if you don't get it done, you can always pick up seedlings at any nursery or big box store about the time you want to put them in the garden. Although you might not think that's as much fun, they often carry the varieties that do well in this area and you don't really need the 25 tomato plants (unless you are Tony!) that you'll get from seeds anyway. 3 or 4 plants will feed your family and your friends.

For every option in the garden that slips away, there will be several to take it's place.

Take it slow your first year and you'll have more fun with it. Add more garden space each year if you want to but don't try to do it all right away. Never forget we do this because it's fun. If it turns out to be too stressful, then plant a couple shrubs where the veggies were going to go and find a different hobby. "Experts" say that most people go through 3 major career changes in their lifetime so picking at least 3 major hobbies seems OK too.

You'll be fine and so will your garden. You'll discover parts of it you like and parts you don't. I learned to garden from women (Mother, Grandmother, Aunts, GreatAunts, and Crazy Garden Friends) who were committed to veggies as well as flowers. But I discovered that growing my own food was no fun for me. I believe that's why God made Publix. So I tossed the tomato plants and put in more cat's whiskers and coleus. I'm happy. Publix is happy. It's your garden and there is no right and wrong other than what's dictacted by the sun and the weather.

You haven't screwed up and everything will be OK. Keep us informed and don't forget to ENJOY!

Kate
(PS - we really...

Hi Melissa!

Don't panic. Remember that wood chips are great on the surface of the soil used as mulch, but it's best not to mix them in the soil, as they will rob nitrogen from the plants as they break down. However, for now you can make your raised beds, plant, and mulch on top again. Just know you may have to fertilize your plants a little more this season, where you've incorporated chips into the soil, if they show signs of needing it.

When the cardboard gets soaked a couple of times with rain, it will get soft and easy to walk on. You won't even know there is cardboard there.

Chips are like gold to me. Since you have such a nice, large load, get a long hose and design very large, curving beds where you want them. Get landscape paint and mark your beds. Keep visiting your local appliance stores and ask them for subzero boxes, large stove boxes, and other large appliance boxes. These make your job go faster. Overlap the cardboard by about 6 inches on all sides within the areas you have marked. Then pile the chips on top. 6-8 inches is great. The hard part is loading and unloading the wheelbarrow repeatedly in this heat! See if you can hire some strapping young teen to help you. Once this is done, your beds are finished and will look good after a couple of good rains. You can now take your time deciding what you'd like to plant. You will be rewarded with almost weed-free, improved planting beds. A lot of work now, but little work later.

Don't stress. Plug away at it, and when you get to the last load, you may find yourself wishing you had just a bit more.

Anna

Kate - Love the line " -that's why God made Publix"! So true!! I always say "Life is too short to grow vegetables" Besides, I have butterfly host plants so why should I have to grow any more plants to feed the bugs???????

nova

Kate, that was well written and made me smile. Thank you :)

nativemel, keep meticulous notes and document every thing you do. If you screw up something we haven't, you may have earned a place in some obscure record book.

And keep trying. It's fun :)

Kate !!! That was great, thank you. Until reading it, I didn't realize how much I needed it. Made me feel lots more relaxed about it and might just get some seeds into the ground this year. LOL
LindaA

Kate,
Do you write?
Why not write a book? I think that you have started.
What you wrote above is inspirational.
Felix

Oh! Thank you, thank you, thank you for those reassuring words. I was having a little panic yesterday, but today I seem to be looking at this with a new attitude. Yes, I've come to love my giant wood chip mountain. I'm sure I'll have that feeling of elation when it's all in the yard, but I agree I'll probably run short of chips due to some side project that distracts me.

Maybe I was a little out of my mind. I never even considered buying seedlings...just assumed I'd have to start my own seeds. You're right, I don't want 25 tomato plants!! Thanks for the suggestion.

Good news is that I haven't incorporated any of the wood chips into the soil. So I think I'll be ok there.

I don't think I have a picture of the area before starting, but I will definitely break out the camera for the work in progress. I'll be back with future photos.

Thanks again for letting me learn and grow with you. :)