I looked into the raised bed plans you mentioned and I think the cedar option would work best for our climate. Cedar resists rot well and doesn't need sealing. For a 4x8 bed, you'd need about 120 gallons of soil mix, which is roughly three cubic feet. I usually do a blend of topsoil, compost, and vermiculite in equal parts. For what you want to grow, tomatoes and peppers need at least six hours of direct sun, so place the beds on the south side of the yard. I can help you assemble them next Saturday if you're free. We should also think about adding a drip irrigation system to make watering easier during the summer months. Let me know if you want to adjust the dimensions or if you'd rather go with a different wood type. I can also source the soil mix from the landscape supply if that helps.

I think the best approach for seasoning a carbon steel pan is to start with a thin layer of oil and heat it gradually. You want to let the oil polymerize rather than burn, so medium heat works better than high. I usually wipe the pan with oil, then wipe it again as if I'm trying to remove it, leaving just a trace. Then I heat it until it just starts to smoke and let it cool. Repeating this two or three times gives a good base layer. For everyday use, I just clean it with hot water and a stiff brush, dry it on the stove, and add a tiny bit of oil while it's still warm. It builds up nicely over time and becomes very non-stick for eggs and fish.