Andrea, I hear you on the 'hot' and 'older'! I have very heavy clay soil and what I did last year (because drought and record setting heatwave
) when I needed to get a lot of things in the (rock hard) ground fast, was to loosen the soil 5-6 inches down and then add 3-4 inches of mulch/good garden soil on top of that. It was faster and easier than double digging in baked clay soil, even though it meant I had to push a wheelbarrow around. Whatever solution you choose I wish you good luck and you have my sympathy. It's hard work!