When digging, many gardeners prefer to simply lift a spade of soil, invert it and drop it back in its original position. This is known as simple digging and is suitable for cleaning the soil surface of any debris and non-persistent weeds. This method is often the best option for working with irregularly-shaped beds or around existing plants.
If you suffer from a bad back you may prefer this method over other digging techniques. It is useful for vegetable plots which need organic matter added. Your soil does need to be weed-free and level so this will involve some clearance work. Then, in late autumn, spread manure or compost over the surface of the bed and worms will do the work of incorporating it by taking it down into the soil. Further mulch can be applied during the growing season. Repeating this process annually will keep your soil fertile.