Well , I always put chest in the mines entrance since my first playthrough , but you say that additional chests can help you survive without backpack upgrade till the Fall ?
I don't wait that long to upgrade to the 24-slot backpack since things get a little tight once I reach the snow levels of the mines (where more ores, gems, geodes, and monster loot becomes accessible). But until the 40th floor, chests strategically placed throughout the valley are enough to allow me to prioritize upgrading my watering can, axe, and pickaxe, purchase a fiberglass fishing rod, and build and stock a coop and barn.
When I leave my farm for a task I only take the tools I need (a sword and pickaxe for mining, a fishing rod for fishing, etc), the hoe (for buried objects), and some food (spring onions or salmonberries since they're plentiful, free, and stack). The hoe, along with any forageables or artifacts I've discovered while en route to the mines or my fishing location, get dumped into the chests once I arrive at my destination. Before returning home, I stuff my inventory with what I can, leaving behind what I intend to smelt (when mining) or sell (when fishing) the next time I'm there, and if there's still too much to carry home, I prioritize items for crafting or bundles.
The only time early-game inventory becomes a limitation is when going to town to dispense gifts. I default to flowers which have a bunch of colors that each come in standard, silver, and gold qualities. That eats up inventory space pretty quickly, so I'm forced to take only what I can in those instances. Other than that, it's fairly smooth sailing until the 40th floor of the mines, honestly.
