Chris Korangy

Thank you all for your comprehensive replies! It's very much appreciated.

As far as veggies go I'm thinking raised beds with legs and a screen cover to protect them. James I've only seen soil in bags what do you mean a "yard of a blend"?

I have a lot of grass at the back of the property I need to trim before the rattle snakes come out this season. Is there benefit to composting it or just laying the fresh clippings down over the weeded dirt area to improve the ground?
Getting a sample of the earth tested is on my list, that will help me know exactly what I'm dealing with. As it's not my land, I should be able to grow a lot in raised beds. The previous owner had horses all around there so grass hasn't been able to grow by the barn, but as it's a fairly large area I would like to be able to grow some flowers or maybe ground cover instead of grass.
Thanks everyone!

Hello!
I'm currently renting a place in Topanga in Southern California. Without spending a fortune I'd like to grow veggies and also use all the resources I can. This is my first garden so excuse the nature of the following questions.

Firstly, there are many fallen twigs and dried leaves, mostly surrounding a pine tree and oak. (Pic1 and 2) how can I use them in my garden? Mulch in my raised garden? Is there issue with pine?

Second, the area by the barn is patchy and is growing weeds, some spikey! (Pic3) I'd like this as a "grassy" area with perhaps clover or wildflowers added in. Not too high because we get rattlesnakes here. Should I chop and drop here or what would be the best option?

Thanks John,
That's given me some ideas to work with. The area in the picture is not for veggies, I was thinking more of a cover crop lawn, white clover perhaps with some dandelions or grass.

Hello!

This is my first post here. I just moved to Topanga, CA which is on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It's high up in the mountains, lots of trees and vegetation. I'm renting an airstream on the land and have been given permission to grow veggies and do gardening but I'm assuming nothing too invasive. Theres places by the side of the airstream where I can grow veggies etc. but the area by the barn which used to have horses is very degraded and I'm not sure what to do with it. I'd like to have it more like a lawn or cover crop lawn? I've attached pictures of this area below. What options do I have here to "green" this area up and rejeuvenate the land. I'm new to permaculture so I'm not sure if cover crops are  best reserved for areas that don't get a lot of foot traffic? I'd like to be able to use this part of the land for gatherings or picnics and such and the back area (which is not in the pics) for growing vegetables.

Thanks for any help or advice,

Chris