raised beds

Sounds like your best alternative, Fatgit. I would have done the same in your circumstances. If you can't go down, then go up.

I'll try to get some piccys soon Noshed. At the moment I'm still turning over beds while the dry spring weather holds for a few more days. I sure am digging up a crop of boulders and fieldstones that I know I dug over last year, and the year before. A neighbour is supposed to deliver a load of old cow manure today, but so far no sight of him. Nice guy, but he moves like molasses in January.