RE: Planting in strips...
I agree with RonM in No-Weeds - Not if you can help it - If you cant plant all the strips - then keep the "weed strips" mowed. The last thing you want is Strips of Ragweed or Goldenrod going to seed in the fall - right on top of your plots!
Plant strips perpendicular to the prevailing winds - Strips of corn/milo - even rye gone to seed - make excellent windbreaks. snow catchers and snowfences in the winter. The additional snow that falls on the plots can make all the difference if the next summer is Dry.
Also - I like to alternate summer, fall, winter plots - in strips.