Its not the end of the world if some soil is disturbed when starting, if it needs that to remove troublesome weeds, brambles, whatever. Usually I don’t but there are exceptions.
The cardboard is not always necessary for beds, especially if there is 6in manure/compost. I would use it in paths only. Simon you may need to pull some regrowth of ragwort for the first months, depending how vigorous it is. Good luck with your growing and Spadeless is a fine name except how will you plant trees?
