Can you plant in mud?

Not a good idea. Wait, wait, wait. A couple of days ahead with no rain we hope, and we can all get busy planting. The easiest way to check to see if your soil is ready

• get a handful of soil
• squeeze it in your fist using medium strength
• open your hand, and soil ball should remain (for the most part)
• a gentle tapping with your other hand should break it up
• if your soil is heavy clay, no amount of tapping may break it up.

Planting when too muddy results in hardpacked ridges when it does dry. Walking on wet soil will cause excessive compaction. What is compaction? From previous posts, you may remember that soil is 25% air spaces. These air spaces are where the air exchanges and water flows. Walking or driving on wet soil destroys this capilary system as the weight from above squishes it. Right now, the 'system' is filled with water, so no air is available to plants that are in the ground. Prolonged saturation can cause death of some plants........think........how long can you hold your breath? Same basic principle. Making my case again for 'overwatering.'  Why do I keep 'harping' on that? It continues to be the most common error of the gardener.
General Watering Rules:

• most plants 1-2" per week (include rain in the factor, so get & use a rain gauge!)
• apply this 1-2" in 2 waterings, say 1/2 on Monday then 1/2 on Thursday (if needed) never water more than twice a week, seldom & deeply - never daily! Exception would be maybe 3 times the first week that small transplants are installed.
• when plants are smaller, stay to the 1", as season progresses go to the 2"
• 1st critical watering point - when installing, don't 'hope' for rain
• 2nd critical watering point - when plants are putting out flowers & fruit is starting
• 3rd critical watering point - cut back to 1" when melons/tomato are set & into production as too much water can cause fruits to split, watery fruits, less intense flavor 
• cooler, less windy days - plants use less water
• hotter, windy days they use more
• always scratch the soil surface a bit, is it dry under the surface? The surface will always look dry first, but we are concerned with how wet it is several inches deep.
• more is not better, a plant will do better a little on the dry side vs. too wet.
• plants are finding their own water in the soil, it doesn't all come from you!