My plot is now 100% raised beds, which allows a much earlier start - essential on what was a heavy clay soil, but which is now closer to a heavy loam due to regular applications of compost, seaweed and sharp sand. I try to use some kind of mulch on each bed, as much to prevent the rain from beating the goodness out of it as anything else!
The uphill side of the garden is still a little wet for cultivation, but the beds on the downhill side are spot on.
The only outdoor sowings so far are parsnips and shallots, planted during the last root period of the moon calendar, although the broad beans and early peas are going in tomorrow (fruiting plant period), followed by spuds, hamburg parsley and salsify in the next root period beginning on the 19th of this month. Carrots will be sown in the greenhouse border at the same time; it gives a heavier, earlier crop, largely free of carrot fly and permits easy harvest in the winter, too.