Avoid trying to dig too deeplytoo, Tilling pass

Tilling Tips& Techniques

Let the tiller dothe work

•While tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the tiller along while the tines do the digging. Walk on the side that is not yet finished (to avoid making foot- prints in the freshly tilled soil) and lightly, but securely grip the handlebar with just one hand.

•Avoid pushing down on the handlebars in an attempt to force the tiller to dig deeper. Doing so takes the weight off the poweredwheels, causing them to lose traction. Without the wheels helpingto hold the tiller back, the tines will attempt to propel the tiller - often causing the tiller to skip rapidly across the ground. (Sometimes, slight down- ward pressureon the handlebarswill helpget through a particularly tough section of sod or unbroken ground, but in most cases this won'tbe necessary at all.)

Avoidtilling soggy,wet soil

Tilling wet soil often results in large, hardclumps of soil that can interfere with planting. If time permits, wait a day or two after heavyrains to allow the soil to dry before tilling. Test soil by squeez- ing it into a ball. If it compresses too easily, it is too wet to till.

Avoid making footprints

When possible,walk on the untilled side of the unit to avoid makingfootprints in the freshly tilled soil. Footprintscause soil compaction that can hamper root penetrationandcontribute to soil erosion. They can also "plant" unwanted weed seedsback into the freshly tilled ground.

Choosing correct wheel

and tine speeds

•If the garden sizewill not permit lengthwise and then crosswise tilling, then overlap the first passesby one- half a tiller width, followed by succes- sive passesat one-quarter width (see Figure4-8).

•With planning, you can allow enough room between rows to cultivate (see Figure4-9). Leaveroom for the hood width, plus enough extra room for future plant growth.

Figure 4-6

Tilling depths

• Avoid trying to dig too deeplytoo

quickly, especially when busting sod or

when tilling soil that hasn'tbeentilled

for some time. Useshallow depth reg-

ulator settings (only an inch or two

deep) for the first passesthrough the

garden area. With each succeeding

pass,adjust the depth regulator to dig

another inch or two deeper. (Watering

the garden areaa few days prior to

tilling will maketilling easier,as will

letting the newly worked soil set for a

day or two before making a final, deep

tilling pass.)

• When cultivating (breaking up the

With experience,you will find the "just right" tilling depth andtilling speed com- bination that is best for your garden.

Set the EngineThrottle Control Lever to a speed to give the engineadequate power and yet allow it to operate at the slowest possible speed...at least until you have achievedthe maximum tilling depth you desire. Fasterengine speeds may bedesirable when making final passesthrough the seedbed or when cultivating. Selectionof the correct engine speed, in relation to the tilling depth, will ensure a sufficient power levelto do the job without causingthe engine to labor.

Figure4-7

surface soil around plantsto help

destroy weeds), use very shallow depth

settingsto preventinjury to plantswhose

rootsoftengrow closeto the surface. If

needed,lift up onthe handlebarsslightly

to preventthe tinesfrom diggingtoo

deeply. (Cultivatingona regularbasis

not only eliminatesweeds,it also loosens

andaeratesthe soil for bettermoisture

absorptionandfaster plantgrowth.)

Suggestedtilling patterns

•When preparinga seedbed,go over the same path twice in the first row, then overlap one-half the tiller width on the rest of the passes(see Figure4-6). When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle as shown in Figure4-7. Overlapeach passfor best results (in very hard ground it may takethree or four passesto thoroughly pulverizethe soil).

Figure4-8

Figure 4-9