You did work hard this weekend!
I agree with Angelblossom about the watering. Morning is best; water the roots (soil) not the plants. Fungal diseases can be a problem if the plants/soil are too moist over night, that's one reason why morning is best. Another is that you're giving the plants the water they need to combat transpiration during the sunny breezy afternoons. (Transpiration is loss of water through the leaf surfaces, i.e., evaporation.) Additionally, many plants stop taking up water during the heat of the day (they sort of "shut down"). However, given your schedule, and lengthening days, you could water late in the afternoon, very early evening, if the plants need it. Just early enough to allow the water to soak, and the surface to dry up a bit, in before temperatures cool & humidity increases.
If you've added manure & mulched, then I think you'll be surprised at how much water the soil will retain. Also, be extra sure to water deeply when you do. In my garden, which has lots of organic matter, and once the plants are established, I only water about once a week!
Another alternative you could consider is a watering system. Soaker hoses would be one option. I can't remember the of the other system, but it's a series of small tubes (with tiny holes) that are interconnected along the rows, all hooked up to a hose. In either case, you could connect these to a timer, so that the garden would be watered consistently at say, 8am. A thought.
As for the mulch, sure, add as much as you like! I don't think there's a need for more newspaper, but you can continually add more manure around the base of the plants, up until the time they start to
flower, and you can add more straw. Do NOT remove the straw you have. It will decompose & add organic material to the soil.
One more warning: Don't overwater! Especially in humid climates, this will promote disease.
You should feel good about all the work you've done! Keep us posted.