Clay ,SE London - ok to start on a new bed after this weekend ?

[lamettarules]

Just that really .

Some parts of my garden are overshadowed and have roots ,and I feel creating a bed and giving up on grass is the only way .

No doubt I should have done this in the autumn ?
What do people think about me getting stuck in now ? The ground is wet so maybe I shouldn't ?

I suspect old old degrading tarmac lurking at depth ,which I fear I can't tackle .
A bed I made 5/6 years ago was such hard work ,I dug down about 4 /5 spade depths and replaced stony ivy rooted soil with manure ,compost and ericeous compost .Plants ok there apart from hydrangea which droops alarmingly in dry weather and has to be soaked to revive .

I can't face digging more than 2 or3 spade depths so guess I'll need plants that can cope with that .

I never dig unless it is to dig weeds out.

Just put cardboard or newspaper down and pile on topsoil, well rotted manure, up to a couple of inches below the top of the beds and plant straight in.

Also if you don't want raised beds, just use temporary barriers, and pile the topsoil in. Remove the sides once the soil has sorted itself out.

Wow - definitely sounds easier than my previous efforts ! Might even allow me to preserve the forget me nots I've been shoving in the area .