That's a challenging space, and you have a *lot* going on -- I'd be proud of it too!
Those invasive white-flowered vines are bindweed, I think; my sympathies. I've heard other garden-types say the only way to get rid of it is to spray it, but I have never tried that and you may not want to. If you keep pulling it, getting as much of those fat white roots as you can, it seems to slow it down. I'd advise not putting it in the compost, at least not fresh -- at least here (south-west Ireland, so warmer in winter and damper) any section of root or stem can re-sprout. On the other hand, any lot of weeds in a bucket, covered in water, covered with a lid, and left to rot, makes a nice liquid fertiliser for plants. Warning: will stink when you open it; I suggest a heavy cover so the toddler doesn't get into it! Or leave them out in the sun to wilt thoroughly before adding them to the compost.
Kale is awesome; it's one of my favourites too. If it starts to flower, you can eat those stems too, just like sprouting broccoli -- only I think it's even tastier! And potatoes! (Those are really good for breaking up heavy soil, by the way.) I hope you get some tubers out of it; nothing beats a fresh new potato.
For keeping the cat out, I have heard of using a spray of... I think it was basically garlic and chili, sprayed around the beds/plants, to discourage them. I don't have details, but I could ask.
Your soil -- digging in compost can't be anything but a good step! It just takes a while to build up good dirt. If it's really clayey and sticky, you could dig in some sand to improve drainage... other than that, just keep adding organic matter.
Unfortunately, I have absolutely nothing to offer on the tomato issue; my only attempt on that front ended with more greenfly than tomato. :( Good luck with yours!
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Those invasive white-flowered vines are bindweed, I think; my sympathies. I've heard other garden-types say the only way to get rid of it is to spray it, but I have never tried that and you may not want to. If you keep pulling it, getting as much of those fat white roots as you can, it seems to slow it down. I'd advise not putting it in the compost, at least not fresh -- at least here (south-west Ireland, so warmer in winter and damper) any section of root or stem can re-sprout. On the other hand, any lot of weeds in a bucket, covered in water, covered with a lid, and left to rot, makes a nice liquid fertiliser for plants. Warning: will stink when you open it; I suggest a heavy cover so the toddler doesn't get into it! Or leave them out in the sun to wilt thoroughly before adding them to the compost.
Kale is awesome; it's one of my favourites too. If it starts to flower, you can eat those stems too, just like sprouting broccoli -- only I think it's even tastier! And potatoes! (Those are really good for breaking up heavy soil, by the way.) I hope you get some tubers out of it; nothing beats a fresh new potato.
For keeping the cat out, I have heard of using a spray of... I think it was basically garlic and chili, sprayed around the beds/plants, to discourage them. I don't have details, but I could ask.
Your soil -- digging in compost can't be anything but a good step! It just takes a while to build up good dirt. If it's really clayey and sticky, you could dig in some sand to improve drainage... other than that, just keep adding organic matter.
Unfortunately, I have absolutely nothing to offer on the tomato issue; my only attempt on that front ended with more greenfly than tomato. :( Good luck with yours!