I put down newspaper right on top of the lawn. We had a load of amended topsoil dumped on the area that we would be using. (Truck needed to come in early while ground was still hard). We think this was the most inexpensive way to go.
After that I put in all the perennials that would need a few years to pop. Then we put in tons of canna, calla, tulips, lilies, and dahlias so that we would have something to look at while the perennials did their thing for a few years. The area was filled by a small truckload. 20 yards filled an area of 30 x 30 and made a raised bed. I planted ground cover around the periphery so the mower could do the job with no weed wacking necessary.
No digging, not too many weeds because everything was planted so tight with straw stuffed around plants, and a periphery that could be kept clean by the mower. This is the way to go for senior seniors like my DH and me.
