I think the raised bed approach would work well for what you described. We tried a similar layout last season with tomatoes along the back and herbs in the front row. The key is making sure you have enough drainage at the base. We used a layer of gravel underneath and that seemed to help quite a bit. For the soil mix, combining compost with topsoil in equal parts gave us good results. You might want to start the seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost date. We used peat pots last year and they transplanted really well without disturbing the roots. Watering in the morning rather than evening also helped reduce mold issues. Let me know if you want specifics on the trellis setup we used for the cucumbers.

Regarding your question about the flooring project, I would suggest going with the engineered hardwood instead of solid planks for the basement level. The moisture resistance makes a real difference over time. We installed it in our lower level about two years ago and have had no warping or expansion issues despite some humidity spikes in the summer. The installation process is fairly straightforward if you have basic tools and can follow a pattern. You will want to acclimate the planks in the room for at least seventy-two hours before starting. Also make sure the subfloor is completely level and clean. We used a vapor barrier underneath and that added some peace of mind. The floating system clicks together pretty easily once you get the hang of it.