The really amazing Alaskan gardens grow farther up north- those 60 pound cabbages, for instance - in the Mat-Su Valley. Juneau doesn't have much top soil, frankly, but the Extension Office told me that where I live happens to be a good growing area.

Thanks, Stilly. There is stuff growing in there but I have permission to take it out and transplant it to a corner on the ground. It is mostly 'ground cover' which will grow practically anywhere. I plan to cut a bank into the grassy mounded soil at the corner on the ground next to the fence and then make a small rock wall to enclose the stuff I'm transplanting. In the long ago past someone put lots of biggish rocks - 6-10 pounders- among the plants which I will dig up for the wall.

Yes, I'm going to add loam and light stuff in the planter. There is good drainage. And you are right- I'm not a big believer in the commercial fertilizers either. Pretty good for flowers but I've never used them for veggies. I will use manure-enriched soil.

And Steve S- yes, lettuces will be a good addition. Thanks.