Uses of a Cultivator
A cultivator is a tool used by gardeners and farmers to keep soil healthy for the plants growing in it. Cultivators work at the surface to condition soil to make it suitable for growing plants, from flower gardens to a fruit and vegetable plot. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Weed Control
-
Cultivators are available in a variety of sizes and designs, all intended to fit in and around plants to remove weeds without damaging the plant. Loosening the top two inches of soil strengthens plants by giving them room to grow but can also cause two negative effects. First, the loosened soil could encourage dormant weed seeds to germinate. The other negative effect is the loosened soil particles can oxidize and harden, adding weight and pressing down on the soil below, compacting it. Mulching after cultivating is one way to counter both of these negative effects.
Aeration
-
Cultivators keep the soil loose to promote airflow and allow nutrients to reach below the soil to the plant roots. Plants thrive in loose soil because they're not competing for space and nutrients. Soil hardens over time, thanks to gravity, but also after a rainfall. The surface will harden and crust over, closing off the soil's supply of oxygen and nutrients; compaction occurs below. Cultivating will loosen the soil again, but you should avoid working the soil while it's still wet; wait until it's moist.
-
Fertilization
-
A small layer of fertilizer or compost can be worked into the soil while cultivating to add more nutrients when needed. Fertilizing at least twice a year is a healthy practice: once in the spring before planting, and again in the fall to restore nutrients lost during the growing season. You can fertilize plants that are heavy feeders as needed.
Overuse
-
Cultivating too often can result in dry soil, damaged plant roots and new weeds. Cultivate periodically throughout the growing season to remove weeds, add extra fertilizer and break up hardened soil. Apply mulch to areas that do not need frequent fertilizing; the mulch will control the weeds and keep the soil loose.
Misconceptions
-
A cultivator is not to be confused with a plow or a till. A plow digs up the soil up to 12 inches deep and flips it over. A till works through the plowed soil, churning nutrients into it and breaking up large chunks. Both tools are used to prepare land for planting. The cultivator finishes the job and is used for surface upkeep. There are many different types, including handheld cultivators, manual-push cultivators, motorized cultivators and tractor-pulled cultivators. Some have prongs while others have disks.
-
