Understand that it takes a couple of years to prepare your soil for optimal gardening. You don't have to wait 2 years to plant your garden, however. There are steps that you can take that will allow you to grow a good garden presently.
Begin soil preparation by digging out the area of your vegetable garden. Create the perimeter first by digging the edge of the garden area before breaking the ground in-between. Remove the top layer of sod with a shovel. If the area is not a grassy spot, then just remove weeds, rocks and debris
Analyze the soil to determine its condition. Too much sand in the soil may make the soil dry, and too much clay may make it too wet. In order to grow a successful garden, your soil should be a good combination of earth, sand and clay. You can send a sample to your local garden center and get it analyzed.