Sally - I added the (I think) to my post as it's only one of many responses on Google. You could do a little more research on that since I know there can be extremes on opposite ends of the debate.
Would a hugel bed suit your purposes? DD's made several including two huge ones for ornamentals. And her vegetable beds tend to be smaller versions using dried grass, hay, shredded cardboard, small branches and topped with soil.
