1) Charcoal Filter: 

Advantages: Filters out the salts while retaining the good hydrating minerals.  We highly recommend this!
Disadvantages:  None of any significance
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2) Agribon and/or Shadecloth: 
Advantages: Good for young seedlings to protect them from critters; soil moisture is "incubated", keeps the aphids, and other insects at bay; let's light in at varying degrees up to 80% (you pick the cloth with the appropriate percentage); you can grow tender lettuce and leafy greens under this row cover in the summer reducing the potential for bolting and sunburn. 
Disadvantages:  Pollinators can not penetrate, so the cloth would have to be removed just before the flowers set; its not particularly aesthetically pleasing, powdery mildew gets incubated if it is present before you cover the area.              Check out this link >>

3) Mulch
Advantages:  Keeps the roots cool and moist, nutrient dense life flourishes underneath. We prefer natural wood or straw material that is non-acidic.  Best applied when plants mature.
Disadvantages:  Mulch excelerates nitrogen uptake and decomposition, so your plants will have theoretically less nitrogen available for rooting and fruiting, therefore fertilizing more frequently is recommended. If mulch gets too wet, mildew can form, so drip is preferred in the presence of mulch to hand watering.  Some mulch is acidic and will disrupt the proper ph balance of your soil.
We appreciate your patience as we work through the challenges in the yard. Your farmhand will let you know if he/she would like to use any of these materials in your yard.  As always, we are available to answer any questions you may have on summer gardening in person or on Basecamp.  It is our goal to empower you with knowledge as we farm and share.