I recently moved into a very old house built in the 1930s, but the land has been used for small livestock many decades before the 30s. I was told the area I want to put my garden is where the previous owner had his garden (back before the 90s, when he was physically able) so it is the least over grown area with the least amount of invasive saplings.

So the garden area was fully over grown for when I first moved early this year, and it was most all very tall grasses and black berry canes. It was bush hogged and ive been working on clearing out the area even more, and so now its about 5 inches of thick grass/weeds. Ive begun pulling weeds, laying cardboard, and building a mound-row of grass clippings, pulled dead weeds and oak leaves (I'm on day three and about half way through). Im experimenting with a no-dig method since Im assuming the soil is very rich and it is clear that it hasn't been touched in over 15-20 years.

Questions:

1. Ive been reading books on composting and they say oak leaves are acidic. Can I just compensate with adding rock dust and the cut grass? I would add compost but it is not ready yet, I started a new heap two months ago and Im not sure the previous heap will be ready by spring.

2. With the no-dig method.. Would I plant the seed in the mound of grass/leaves? OR does it go under the cardboard? I don't fully understand this method and what order everything is going to be placed in.

3. Pulling weeds... Should I spend all this time pulling these really tough weeds out of the ground? Im pulling about 80% of the grasses. I know people have said "Don't pull the weeds because it disturbs the soil", and other say "kill all the weeds, torch them, before you lay cardboard". Is there anyone with actual first hand experience with this?

Im located in North Georgia.

Thanks