starting a veg bed from scratch

[create]

I already have a decent veg patch, but I inherited it with the house and the soil was in decent condition - I just add more compost each year, dig lightly and let the worms do most of the work.

I want to expand and start a couple of new ones, but digging up some of the lawn. However, we're on heavy clay and I'm worried that it will take lots of back breaking work and years of soil improvement to make the patch manageable. I have time to give it, but am not good at hard physical work.

What would be the best way to go about it?

[HarrietJones]

Raised bed filled with new soil & all mixed in?

[GnomeDePlume]

Alternatively:

1. Hire a turf cutter to take the lawn off then stack the turves grass side down. This will then make some good rich composty soil next year.
   
2. Spread compost over the soil and use a rotavator (again you can hire this) to dig this in. The more compost you add the more the soil structure will improve.

[BeeBopBunny]

I'd go for raised beds - fill them with compost and rotted manure in the autumn and they'll be lovely by the spring. The worms will do the digging for you and you'll just need to top them up as the organic matter continues to decompose and settle.