I think it's great you are making better use of the area! Everyone should plant veggies in their yard in my opinion :-) Lots of Luck!

I avoid raised beds because irrigation can be a major problem, but in your climate they may be appropriate. Where are you?
I don't plant in rows. Not an optimum use of space in a small garden, especially one that's not straight lines! Blocks for carrots and corn, everything else goes in according to mature dimensions, soil requirements and life length.
Speaking of mature dimensions, you mention tomatoes, plural. Depending what you plant, don't understimate how enormous the plants can get!
Considering most soils are millions of years old, 'old soil' isn't a bad thing, IMO!
I see the native soil as a more or less permanent, mineral-rich but 'plain' base. I add as much organic matter as I can to replace the goodies I'm removing by harvesting: compost, lawn clippings, cover crops...
I'd get rid of the black plastic, not a fan, but it has many supporters.
Dig up the bushes.
Add as much OM as you can.
Bark chips can be an issue in veggie gardens: if they end up mixed into the soil there can be major nitrogen tieup, so try and avoid digging them in. Bark's great for ornamental gardens and paths... I'd go for pea straw, alfalfa straw or something else 'soft' in a veggie garden.
I've got lots of flowers in my garden, including flowering veggies, for beauty and to attract beneficial insects.
I think it's well worth spending money on compost and a proper soil test.

Hello, thanks a lot for both replies. I live in Buffalo, NY. Thanks for the flowers suggestion, I was considering planting them around the bushes in the other empty spaces. Once the weather gets better, I take some measurements and then plan. I will remove the wood chips and old plastic. Will still do some research on the plastic, because in my area it is quite cold and maybe the plastic may help in keeping the soil warm.
About the soil test, is that just to see what nutrients are already in the soil and the pH...why do people usually do soil tests?

thanks,
Minal

I was hoping someone could suggest whether planting peas in the corner near the deck will be ok?

If the area's not in full sun, peas should be ok. I get much better production from snow peas or sugar snaps than English peas.
Re soil tests. While you'll get useful info like ph, for me it's more about finding what nutrients are optimal, lacking etc. For example, I used to add composted manure. A soil test revealed that the phosphate levels were really, really high, so I stopped. It saved me cash, and I'm not flushing extra stuff into the environment

I see ok, well will surely get soil test done.

What a great way to use your yard. I too think edibles should don all our landscapes.

If you remove all your bushes for a summer garden, the area will look a bit bare when the weather gets cold. Have you thought of replacing a couple bushes with rosemary, oregano, bay tree, and thyme? All culinary and I can't live without them. They'll add winter interest and are not big nutrient feeders.

In my zone, peas, carrots, and radishes are cool weather plants and can often succession-plant with the warm weather ones- tomatoes, peppers, etc. Although, perhaps this is different for Buffalo.

As for the plastic, it's going to be a real mess to try to reuse what's there. Have you thought about just leaving it and poking new holes for your vegetable plants? The only problem with that is you'll have an irrigation problem if it isn't already set up with one since plastic is also a water barrier.

I use wood chips regularly in my vegetable bed. Yes, nitrogen buildup will be a problem, but there's always lime. I have to use it to keep my dog and squirrels from digging in it. My digger dog doesn't like how it feels on his paws.

Soil tests are used to understand not only the make up of the soil, but what it is missing for particular crops. If NY is like NC, your taxes pay for these tests. All you have to do is collect the sample, fill out the sheet form, and send it in. No additional fee. This was also true in Oklahoma when I lived there. You'll get a report back telling what you need to add for your vegetable garden. Ask your local garden center for the forms. Or call the extension office, especially since it is a county service through your extension office. (Big box store employees will look at you like you're from Mars if you ask them.)

I am a big proponent of compost (veg matter, manure, etc.). I don't use commercial fertilizers as the risk of laying on too much and harming the environment is too great. Besides, what else am I going to do with those apple cores?

Best of luck! And show us pics as the season progresses!

Erin