Hi Sabrina,
When I lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia I did a little gardening too, we had a very short spring before the heat came, I always used mixed/potting soil and I wish I remember what the brand is but we had the most wonderful potting mix made in Holland, it look just like a fine black good soil..I did not remember seeing any mulch or peat moss in it... Maybe you have some great mixed/potting/garden soil there in Italy and mix it with your existing soil/clay...