K8-I just saw a program on square foot gardening and am checking it out. I thought it was set up above ground so you wouldn't have to worry about amending since you mix equal parts compost, soil and perlite, but IDK.
Peary-You might want to check with your local extension office to see about growing animal deterrents in your garden. A friend of mine back home grows marigolds in her garden to keep pests away and had told me she used to grow other plants in her garden to keep animals out when she had lived where they were a problem.
I'd like to grow a garden, but everything is up in the air due to my job. I'd hate to get started and then have it all fall apart like happened last year due to shift work and too much overtime.

If I do get to, I'm gonna do a 3 Sister's Garden using the square foot plan. We have a lot of clay too. It was a PITA digging post holes for my fence with a powered post hole digger. I'm not even willing to try to work this soil here.

Thanks, but, I get enough of a work out at work.