Eutycus, your South Texas soil looks much nicer than my nasty old red clay up here in the Big Country. I built a bed last year and amended with mulched leaves and commercial cotton burr compost and have not been impressed with the gains. Part of the problem was more shade than I would like, but the only thing that did well in it last summer was rosemary, which is about as hardy as mesquite in these parts. I managed to get some tomatoes and peppers growing them alongside my garage toward the front of the house. First time I planted San Marzano tomatoes for spaghetti sauce and it won't be the last. Got a few poblanos and some Big Jims but nothing to brag about. We are looking for a high of 92 tomorrow, but by Wednesday night, a low of 33. Early days.
It has been a long time since I could horse around a big Troybuilt. The little Mantis is more my speed these days, with four back surgeries and a 71st birthday weeks away.