Mixing in the leaves with the soil you added may not have been the best idea. Maybe it won't matter, though.
I don't think your roots are going to penetrate the clay. I think they will just grow sideways in the soft soil you added. Building up that 4" with manure and other organic matter should be a top priority.
As for tilling, everyone's soil is different. Mine is fine to till several inches down, as long as I add about the same corresponding amount of manure on top. If you do till, all you have to do is keep the top mulched with something like wood chips, and then you won't have to till again. Even black plastic mulch will do the same thing; the soil under mine when I pick it up is always nice and soft. The rain doesn't hit it to compact it.
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