This area used to be a beach back a million years or so ago.
The 2 yards of fine tree mulch that my son-in-law brought in made a heck of a difference in the hydrology of the garden. I've only used the drip irrigation once this year, and that was for the peanuts, which can't have landscaping fabric or heavy mulch around them.
/johnny
Soil makes a big difference. Since Hubby brought in all that horse manure, decomp wood from an old barn and some top soil, his garden has really taken off.
Our lots are part of an area that was adjacent to mines, and someone took the top soil off a long time ago, and left yucky clay. We have the back yard pretty well rehabilitated, but the front yard is another story. Most everything planted there just dies except for red clover and fescue, and an occasional patch of kentucky blue.
On the other hand, we do have quite a few trees, and loads of wild flowers under them as well as redbuds etc.
So do you have any tips for growing peanuts?