How to Rate Garden Tillers
Garden tillers are one of the most essential tools for gardeners to help prepare garden beds and yards. Because most soil is compacted, gardeners must break up any soil clumps that are larger than a half dollar. Without tilling, plant roots will have a hard time growing a deep root system. Gardening stores have a wide variety of garden tillers that accommodate different needs. It is important to find the right one to help ensure a successful yard and flower bed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine the needs of your landscape to help pick out the right size of tiller. Small tillers are adequate for breaking up dirt for vegetable gardens, flower beds and small lawns. Certain brands of tillers have small engines and star shaped tines rather than larger separate tines. Larger-tined varieties can break up dirt 6 to 8 inches into the top soil. These larger, heaver tillers work well for breaking through soil and distributing soil amendments to large lawns.
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Decide if you need front or rear tines on your garden tiller. Many rear-tined garden tillers will also have a flap in the back, which levels the ground after it has been broken up. In addition, front-tined garden tillers must be operated from behind which forces the gardener to walk on the broken-up soil. Rear-tined garden tillers can be pushed and controlled from the side, allowing the gardener to avoid walking on the leveled soil.
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Check to see how many speed settings each garden tiller provides. Some garden tillers not only have various speeds, but can also go in reverse.
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Compare prices of garden tillers when shopping. A cheap tiller may have a short life compared to a more expensive one. Determine how often you will use your tiller. If you have a small lawn and will only use the tiller at the beginning of the growing season each year, you may be able to get away with a less expensive tiller. A larger and more heavily landscaped lawn may require a more expensive garden tiller.
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Try a tiller out at the store before purchasing. Push the tiller around the store to ensure that you are strong enough to control the tiller. If more than one person will be using the tiller, make sure that the other person is also comfortable using the tiller you have selected.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the warranty on the garden tiller before buying to ensure that the company will repair the tiller if mechanical problems arise.
Be careful when buying a garden tiller that can go in reverse. If it runs over a rock or branch while in reverse, it will jump backward rather than forward.
