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Power composting simply means tilling under and burying in the soil all manner of organic
matter such as crop residues, leaves, grass clippings and cover crops. This material will de-
compose during the non-growing season and add important natural nutrients to the soil.
The first place to begin is with crop residues such as leftover vines, stalks, stems and roots.
Power compost these crop residues as soon as they finish bearing. The sooner this is done,
the better, as tender green matter is easier to till under. Use the deepest depth regulator set-
ting possible without causing the engine to labor or the tiller to jump ahead.
Standing cornstalks of reasonable height can be power composted. Pushing over (but not
uprooting) cornstalks will often make it easier to chop up the stalks. Keep the tines clear of
excessive tangling by “fishtailing” or frequently using reverse. Make several passes, then re-
turn a few days later to finish off any remaining stubble.
After tilling under crop residues, add more organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings and
even kitchen scraps. When tilled into the soil, this organic matter will decompose and add
even more important nutrients to the soil.
After power composting, you may want to plant a “green manure” cover crop to protect the soil during the off-season. You simply grow a
crop of clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, peas, beans, rye grass, grain, or kale and then till it into the soil prior to the planting season.
WARNING: When power
composting, do not keep the
Depth Regulator Lever at a
deep setting if the tiller jumps
or bucks.
If jumping or bucking occurs,
move the Depth Regulator
Lever down to a shallow
setting and then slowly
increase the tilling depth on
later passes.
Failure to follow this warning
could result in personal injury.
Tilling On Slopes
Read the following recommendations before tilling on slopes:
If you must garden on a moderate slope, please follow two very important guidelines:
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground where footing is difficult (review safe-
ty rules in Section 1: Safety of this manual).
2. We recommend tilling up and down slopes rather than terracing. Tilling vertically on a
slope allows maximum planting area and also leaves room for cultivating.
IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, be sure the correct oil level is maintained in the engine
(check every one-half hour of operation). The incline of the slope will cause the oil to slant
away from its normal level and this can starve engine parts of required lubrication. Keep the
motor oil level at the full point at all times!
Tilling Up and Down Slopes (Vertical Tilling)
• To keep soil erosion to a minimum, be sure to add enough organic matter to the soil so that it has good moisture-holding texture and try
to avoid leaving footprints or wheel marks.
• When tilling vertically, try to make the first pass uphill as the tiller digs more deeply going uphill than it does downhill. In soft soil or
weeds, you may have to lift the handlebars slightly while going uphill. When going downhill, overlap the first pass by about one-half the
width of the tiller.
Tilling Across Slopes Without Using Terraces (Horizontal Tilling)
• If vertical or terracing gardening aren’t practical for you, then you can till laterally across a slope. We don’t recommend this method as
it can create unsure footing and invites soil erosion.
• As in terrace gardening, start at the top of the slope and overlap the first pass by half the width of the tiller. For added stability of the tiller,
always keep the uphill wheel in the soft, newly tilled soil.
Terrace Gardening
• When a slope is too steep or too short for vertical tilling, it may be necessary to till across the slope and create terraced rows. Terraces
are rows that are cut into the side of a slope, creating a narrow, but flat area on which to plant.
• On a long slope, you can make several terraces, one below the other.
• Terraces should be only 2-to-3 feet wide. Digging too far into the side of the slope will expose poor subsoil that is unproductive for plants.
TILLING TIPS & TECHNIQUES (CON’T)Power Composting
WARNING: Do not
operate tiller on a slope too
steep for safe operation. Till
slowly and be sure you have
good footing. Never permit
tiller to freewheel down
slopes. Failure to follow this
warning could result in
personal injury.