Chickie'sMomaInNH
Garden Master
Mom, let me know in the spring if you want me to swing by on a weekend to help you till a patch!momofdrew said:
To Rototil or Not?
- Thread starter OldGuy43
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OldGuy43
Garden Ornament
Oh look. I've done more good than expected by starting this topic. Getting folks helping one another is a good thing, right?Chickie'sMomaInNH said:
Looks like I'm the odd one here. I never till.
When we moved to this location, most of the soil where I wanted my garden was rock hard clay. I started in the fall with a load of composting manure, all the grass, leaves, straw, etc that I could get my hands on.
I did a lot of shallow planting that first year, potatoes planted in straw, etc. I mulch heavily w/ straw, coop litter gets dumped in there and the hens do fall cleanup and light tilling. Each year the soil gets better and better. I had one small area of clay that wasn't breaking down well after a couple of years, so I did break out the shovel to help it along.
When we moved to this location, most of the soil where I wanted my garden was rock hard clay. I started in the fall with a load of composting manure, all the grass, leaves, straw, etc that I could get my hands on.
I did a lot of shallow planting that first year, potatoes planted in straw, etc. I mulch heavily w/ straw, coop litter gets dumped in there and the hens do fall cleanup and light tilling. Each year the soil gets better and better. I had one small area of clay that wasn't breaking down well after a couple of years, so I did break out the shovel to help it along.
catjac1975
Garden Master
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We have used a rotiller for 34 years on our 2-3 feet of topsoil garden. We till in leaves and manure. We use small tillers between the rows to keep down the weeds . A must in a large garden. Manure adds lots on nutrients and weed seed.
Chickie2378
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We farmed so we have about 6 hand tillers of all sizes and 1 big tractor tiller.
They are a necessity I believe. NC red clay soil here. It took alot to change that to good soil.
while they are 'work' to use, they do a big service to the ground.
I always til.
They are a necessity I believe. NC red clay soil here. It took alot to change that to good soil.
while they are 'work' to use, they do a big service to the ground.
I always til.
GreeneGarden
Chillin' In The Garden
I like to rotate between no till, shallow till, and deep till. Each has benefits if used in rotation
http://www.gardenfornutrition.org/Organic_Soil_How_To_Build_Up_Nutrients.html
http://www.gardenfornutrition.org/Organic_Soil_How_To_Build_Up_Nutrients.html
wsmoak
Deeply Rooted
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I just got my 'big tiller' this year, and every time I drag it out I laugh at the "Easy one-handed operation!" bit on the label. Ha!Chickie2378 said:
I am still breaking up new ground, fighting bermuda grass and adding composted manure, and I really appreciate being able to break through the roots and mix it all up with the tiller.
-Wendy
Chickie2378
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WSI had our big one take me for a ride one time. Don't know why I didn't just let go...it dragged me along
AlienChick
Chillin' In The Garden
We're new gardeners.
We didn't till last year because we didn't want a lot of weeds.
That was great!
However, this year hubby wants to till. We'll see how it goes.
We didn't till last year because we didn't want a lot of weeds.
That was great!
However, this year hubby wants to till. We'll see how it goes.
StupidBird
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Last year, we had someone with a tractor and wide PTO tiller break up the new spot (100x25/30ft). We have lots of invasive bermuda grass that just loved it. I plan on rotating in lots of smother green manure crops and tilling them in repeatedly.
I find lots of rocks this way. At least this time I remembered to have the phone line marked out first.
This season's planned expansion? Set some 6x6 tall posts to mark the front yard property line corners, and till that all over as much as I can. Lots of shallow utilities and big rocks and who knows what. It's all heavy compacted clay subsoil that barely supports weeds. I'd love to fence it, but that's a huge project.
I'd prefer to double-dig new beds, given the surprise items and terrible compacted clay. My back won't stand it, and I don't know if I could pay someone to do it "my" way. As I double-dig, I carefully shake out every last scrap of bermuda grass root I find. Terribly tedious, but effective.
I find lots of rocks this way. At least this time I remembered to have the phone line marked out first.
This season's planned expansion? Set some 6x6 tall posts to mark the front yard property line corners, and till that all over as much as I can. Lots of shallow utilities and big rocks and who knows what. It's all heavy compacted clay subsoil that barely supports weeds. I'd love to fence it, but that's a huge project.
I'd prefer to double-dig new beds, given the surprise items and terrible compacted clay. My back won't stand it, and I don't know if I could pay someone to do it "my" way. As I double-dig, I carefully shake out every last scrap of bermuda grass root I find. Terribly tedious, but effective.
