Please enter a search term to begin your search.

My Yarden » Why you shouldn't rototill

Why you shouldn't rototill

Peter Bockenthien » Friday, April 17 2009

Rototilling is a great way to plant seed weeds and rhizomatous weeds (weeds that spread via roots) such as dandelions.

It's a lot of work. Those blades do not go as deep as they need to, which is 2 feet. Instead they grind up the soil about 8" - 10" deep, chop up weed roots, which creates more weeds, and plants weed seeds fairly deep, which weeds seem to thrive on. It seeds those chopped up roots down deep which makes pulling them even harder and guarantees the spread of more weeds. With dandelions, bindweed and some others, even the tiniest root segment down below will grow into a full-fledged weed and fast.

The best way to prep your garden bed is to double dig with a spading fork:

Spading Fork

It's easier on your back, digs deeper than other shovels, loosens the second, deeper layer than needs it most and make double digging a joy. Google double digging technique for the whys, hows and whens.

Clicky Web Analytics