We moved into our new house and want to do some landscaping. The previous owners had nothing at all and even filled in existing beds with lawn and dug up the shrubs. We started by removing the grass and top layer and created 2 19x6 areas on the front of the house. The space gets lots of sun in the morning, eastern exposure.

I've been reading about the lasange method but we don't want to wait that long to start planting. Is there some kind of hybrid approach?

There is a lanscape supply place literally across the street were I can get soil, mulch, compost by the yard very easily. If I put 4-6" of top soil and compost down will this be a good start?