Thanks for asking about the garden layout. I think the raised beds should go along the south side where they get the most sun throughout the day. We measured the space yesterday and it looks like we have about twelve feet of usable width before the shade from the fence starts creeping in around late afternoon. For soil mix I usually do about forty percent compost, thirty percent topsoil, and thirty percent peat moss or coconut coir depending on what is available. That blend seems to drain well while still holding enough moisture for tomatoes and peppers. If you want to put in some root vegetables you might want to loosen the ground underneath the beds at least ten inches deep so the carrots and radishes have room to develop properly. I can swing by Saturday morning to help you set up the frames if that works with your schedule. Let me know what time works for you.

Regarding the book club selection for next month, I think the memoir about the chef who traveled through Southeast Asia would be a great choice. It has a lot of interesting passages about local markets and family traditions around food. Several members mentioned they want something lighter after the last novel we read. I can reserve a copy at the library if needed. We should also decide on the meeting date since the room at the community center books up quickly. The third Tuesday seems to work for most people based on the poll I sent around. Let me know what you think about that timeline and I will go ahead and confirm the reservation.