Question on digging New garden

It is March here, in zone 5b - it has been unseasonably warm, and I have most enjoyed it. The ground is nice and soft, and I'd like to start digging my new garden I have planned out as soon as possible.

I have heard people say not to start digging "too" soon, as it may hurt the soil, and the organisms growing in it.

So, how about if I just flat spade off the existing turf for now, and then start digging in April? Could I at least do that, to help prepare the new bed and laying it out, and get some work done on some of these nice days?

I'm going to post this in the garden talk forum as well.