How to Plow and Till a Garden
Whether you're starting a garden from scratch or the garden bed you plan to use this year hasn't been touched in awhile, there are times when you need to plow and till a garden to prepare it for growing plants. To make the job go smoothly and in less time, invite some friends or family members over to help you with the tiller. With a freshly tilled garden, you'll be ready to plant herbs, flowers or vegetables. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Garden tiller or roto-tiller
- Wheelbarrow, optional
- Compost, garden soil or composted manure
Instructions
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1
Remove grass sod layer from the top layer of the garden area. Dig the soil of your garden with a shovel to loosen it eight to 10 inches deep.
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2
Place the tiller in one corner of the garden and work back and forth in rows to further break up the soil loosened with the shovel. Be sure to stop completely at the end of each row and lift the tines of the tiller before you turn around to begin your next row.
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3
Remove rocks and debris away from the garden as they are uncovered, and toss them into an unused area or into a wheelbarrow for disposal later.
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4
Run the tiller or plow crosswise over all of the rows you just tilled. Take away newly uncovered rocks as clumps of soil continue to break up.
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5
Spread a 4-inch layer of compost or garden soil over the surface of your garden to add nutrients and lighten the soil.
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6
Make one last pass over the garden with the tiller, this time running in diagonally rows to mix in the compost. Plant your garden right away or leave it until the following spring, as long as the soil won't be walked on, packing it back down.
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Tips & Warnings
The job of your tiller is to break up the soil, not dig it, so don't skip step one unless you're working a garden which you've recently used and isn't packed down, or you have a tiller which specifically states that it can be used on bare, unworked ground.
Add fuels and oils to your tiller before you begin, and always clean the tiller on a regular basis to prolong the life of the motor and the blades.
Remember to wear protective boots and gloves when operating the tiller, as well as safety goggles if your soil is particularly rocky or there's a high potential for flying debris.
