Tilling is among the traditional ways of preparing the garden for planting. It is, however, still used today by many gardeners.
Tilling is a good method for preparing a vegetable garden. Gardeners need to understand how best to till the land.
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What does garden tilling mean?
The first step is understanding what it means when discussing tilling. This is known as the turning over of the soil in a garden. It is mostly done using specific tools and machines that make work easier. However, gardeners can use their hands when working on small gardens.
The garden soil can be filled up to 8 to 10 inches in depth. However, the depth depends on the soil type and the tool used. There are soils such as clay that gardeners can go deeper into.
Experts caution on some need for control when tilling the land. This is important to avoid over-tilling. The tilling should also be managed to avoid an overhaul of the soil structure. The idea is to ensure the tilling works great in preparing the garden for planting.
Importance/advantages of tilling your garden soil
It is important to identify some reasons gardeners should consider tilling the land.
- Aeration
Tilling the land improved the aeration of the soil. This is especially the soils with high compaction. It is considered critical to till such land to reduce the lumps and break the hard bits.
Tilling the garden relieves the soil and establishes good drainage. It also encourages the habitation of organisms. These are an important addition to the soil.
The aeration works on improving plant growth. It ensures that roots spread with ease. Therefore, the plant can reach for more nutrients. Water, oxygen, and other nutrients are easily absorbed in well-tilled soils.
- Weed Prevention
Another major benefit of tilling the soil is to remove the weeds. The weeds are identified as a great enemy of plants. This leads to continued competition for important nutrients. Tilling the land ensures that the problematic weeds are eliminated.
The recommended tilling routine is turning the soil twice a year. This procedure should, however, be effectively managed. It should be controlled to ensure it does not damage the existing plants.
- Balancing
Tilling the land is also linked with establishing proper balance in the soil. The gardener is in a position to make any amendments to the soil when tilling. This includes adding any nutrients lacking in a given soil sample.
The overall goal is to enrich the soil and ensure that it benefits the plants leading to a suitable growing environment.
Best tools to use when tilling soil
Tilling can be done by hand or by the use of garden tools. The tools are required more in cases of large gardens. This is because they make the work easier.
Using the proper tool also reduces the risk of damaging the existing plants. There is a list of garden tools that can work great for tilling. Some of the tools in this list can be a good start for any gardener.
1: Trowel
A hand-held trowel is included among the best tools that are used for tilling a garden. This is a tool that helps in breaking soil clumps.
It can also be used to dig small holes when preparing to plant. The trowel is also excellent for transplanting seedlings. They also work great in removing weeds.
Gardeners are recommended to select a trowel that has a soil metal blade. This is to ensure durability. It is also excellent for use on hard grounds. The handle should be mounted to suit the main use of the trowel.
2: Garden Rake
Another tool that has been popular among gardeners is the garden rake. This is also great for tilling the land. The garden rake has uniform metal tines and a long handle. This tool is popular for cleaning up grass clippings in a garden.
It is therefore used after turning the soil. This helps to level the soil and create a smooth texture. The tool helps remove unwanted weeds. This is a tool that works great in landscaping.
3: Angled Shovel
The shovel is also a very popular tool when tilling the land. The shovel is made of strong metal. This makes it great to till hard soils. It is recommended to use angled shovels. The angled shovels are used mainly for digging holes.
The squared-off garden spade is also among gardeners most popularly used shovels. This is mostly used for landscaping. It is great for cleaning soil in garden beds. It would be best if you worked towards improving the structure and composition of the soil using these tools.
4: Wheelbarrow
One important tool that must be addressed when tilling the land is the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow is used for transporting the debris from the land.
The wheelbarrow is good for moving the soil from one area to another. It can also be useful when carrying the compost to a garden area after tilling.
5: Cultivating fork
The use of a cultivating fork is also popular when tilling the land. This tool works like a muscle-powered rototiller. This is great for plowing the soil.
It is preferred in cases where gardeners are working hard to dislodge weeds. It is also excellent for soils that are heavily compacted.
The tool works to loosen and mix the soil. The choice of cultivating fork should be guided by the soil type in a garden. Remember that regardless of the tool used, there are some important steps that you should follow when tilling the land.
Steps to follow when tilling your garden
Step 1: Mark the area
The first step to tilling the land is to identify the area. Ask yourself which area you want to start tilling. This includes measuring the garden area that you want to till.
The area should be marked to avoid confusion when tilling. You can use wood and strings to mark the area. Some gardeners also use paint to mark the borders.
Step 2: Remove Weeds
The next step in tilling the land is to remove the weeds. There are stubborn weeds that must be removed for easier tilling. This can be done using a hoe or a rake.
Removing weeds helps easier identify the area that needs to be tilled. These weeds are also obstacles that may make it difficult to use the tilling tools.
Step 3: Remove Rocks
It is also necessary to remove any observable rocks from the area that is marked for tilling. This makes work easier, especially when using hand tools. The rocks can be removed using a pickaxe.
There are also large lumps of soil that can be easily broken before tilling. This is also considered an important step for preventing any damage to a motorized tiller.
Step 4: Spread the Compost
The other step of tilling the land is to add compost. Compost has been viewed as good for making the land tillable.
This is because it retains moisture and reduces compactness. The gardener should work to ensure that the area marked for tilling is well covered with compost.
Step 5: Begin Tilling
All these processes should then the followed by tilling. This is a step that involves the use of identified tools and machines.
It is recommended that tilling should begin from one corner of the marked area. The process should be done methodically to ensure the entire area is covered.
The right time to till your garden
It is important to note that a garden can be tilled at any time of the year. However, there are better seasons to ensure that the tilling is successful thus it’s vital to use a planting calendar.
The spring is the best time to till a garden. This is a period when the water moisture is reduced.
Experts recommend that the best period is between March and April. The tilling should avoid the winter season. But the decision is different across different areas.
Remember that the climate should be the main determining factor for tilling. The intensity of tilling is also a major factor codetermine when to do it in a garden. The summer period is identified as the best for intensive tilling of land.
How deep should a garden be tilled?
The issue of tilling the land also addressed the tilling depth. It is good to note that the soil type is a great factor in determining the depth. Loam soils are considered the best for tilling at any depth. But it isn’t easy to till the clay soils deeper.
It is also important to consider the planting plan. This includes identifying the type of plant to introduce in the garden. Different plants prefer different depths. The general tilling of the garden should provide the most suitable conditions for the plant.
It can be concluded that there are no best practices for tilling. Try out different practices and identify the best work for your garden.
It is also critical to consult an expert where necessary. The skills and guide can be great in ensuring that your garden is tilled successfully.