Easy cover crop for newly tilled soil? Or just leave the natural grass?

I want to expand my garden into the wild/unplowed part of the field next to it.

Just went out there with a hand spade to see how much work it will be without renting a tiller and oh my god the soil is so dark, soft and loose it is as if it was just freshly tilled/sifted!!!

If I clear off all the grass/weeds and leave it bare until feb/march I am worried it will harden and I will kill off all of the worms and other flora/fauna in the soil. I want to do most of the work now while in the mood and it isn't too cold to be out there.

Can I just leave the soft/natural grass in place (removing weeds/saplings) and remove it when it is time to plant? Or should I take it out now and grow clover as a cover crop? Zone 8 so weather is still warm, but will cool off shortly here. Would like to just leave the grass until it is time to dig rows and plant (I try to limit digging so as not to harm the worms/soil life, so won't till the whole area).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Easy cover crop for newly tilled soil? Or just leave the natural grass?