Yeah I think the raised bed approach works better for that corner of the yard. We tried planting directly in the ground last spring and the drainage was just not good at all. The soil stayed too wet and the roots never really developed properly. If you go with a cedar frame about 12 inches high that should give you enough depth for carrots and tomatoes. I would mix in some compost and perlite to keep it loose. Watering every other day should be plenty once things get established. Just watch the leaves for any yellowing that could mean too much water or not enough nitrogen. The position you picked gets good morning sun so that should help a lot. Let me know if you want help building the frame I have most of the tools we would need. Also consider adding a drip irrigation system it saves a lot of time and keeps the water off the leaves which helps prevent fungal issues. I can send you a link to the setup I used last year if you want to take a look.
The soil pH in that area tends to run slightly acidic which is actually good for most vegetables. If you test it and find it is too far one way you can add a little lime to raise it or some peat moss to lower it. I have a test kit you can borrow just let me know when you want to stop by.
HARBOR FREIGHT
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We ended up going with the lake trail instead of the mountain route because the weather report showed afternoon storms. It was a good call because we got about 8 miles in before the clouds really started building. The trail was in good shape overall with just a few muddy spots near the creek crossings. We saw a lot of wildflowers this time which was a nice surprise. The group was split on whether to stop for lunch at the halfway point or push through and eat at the end. We compromised and took a quick break at the old bridge area. Next time I think we should start earlier to avoid the heat and bring more water since there are not many good refill spots. Overall it was a solid day out and everyone seemed happy with the choice. The elevation gain was manageable about 1200 feet total so it was challenging but not exhausting. I would recommend this trail for anyone looking for a good half-day hike.
The parking lot filled up by 9 am so we had to park on the access road. That added about half a mile to the start but honestly it was fine. The ranger said the trail gets busier every weekend so going early is key. We saw a deer about halfway through and a few hawks circling above the ridge. One person in our group brought binoculars and that made a big difference for bird watching. If you decide to go I would suggest taking the loop clockwise because the elevation is more gradual that way.