I am spending this summer hardscaping and building cold frames. The hardscape has wiped out the slugs and lasts practically forever. I have tamped it down repeatedly to make leaf removal easier. Mulch is a disaster for raised beds. It has to be replaced every year, was a weeding nightmare and allowed many insects to flourish as it broke down.
I will also be piping down water from a spring on the top 5 acres. The spring will give me one more water backup source.
Will be finishing up the rear garden project by installing the electric fence on the vinyl fence. One fabric on the top outside face and one on the bottom inside face. That has been successful (past) in keeping the pests out. The electric fence is solar.
I am convinced the weather is going to be changing over to the cold side for the coming decades. The cold frames give me flexibility with the green house of at least 2.5 plant cycles per season. That includes seasonal cold and warm garden plantings.