Excuse me taking the easy way out and coming straight here.

Total beginner at growing anything and working with a garden that has been
neglected for years.
I've cleared the weeds and started work with a fork breaking up the very
hard earth.

I presume I need to break the earth up until it is quite fine. Not the big,
hard lumps I have at the moment. I'm guessing the next step will be mixing
in some kind of fertiliser before I plant.

Can anybody recommend a easy way of breaking up the soil because with the
fork it is still in big lumps. Secondly, what should I add before I start
planting. (Herbs are my first venture and they are in pots at the moment).

Regards