Troy-Bilt E686N Wide-Row Planting, Tilling Under Corn, Power Composting, Soil Enrichment Idea

Section 4: Operation

Tilling Tips & Techniques

POWER COMPOSTING

Power composting 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 decompose during the non-growing season and add important natural nutrients to the soil.

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 one of the shallower settings and then slowly increase the tilling depth on later passes.

Failure to comply could result in loss of tiller control, property damage or personal injury.

Begin by composting 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 setting possible without causing the engine to labor or the tiller to jump ahead.

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.

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.

Wide-Row Planting

The wide-row planting technique is spreading seeds anywhere from 10 inches to 2 feet wide or more. As a result, you can grow anywhere from 3 to 4 times (or more) produce in the same space that is normally set aside for an area that has narrow, single rows.

Wide-row planting automatically shades the ground which keeps weed growth down and also holds moisture in the soil. And of course, harvesting is much easier – everything is right at hand to be picked. Preparing wide rows is easy — after you prepare the seedbed and mark off the rows with string, hand-broadcast the seeds as if seeding a lawn (not quite as much as lawn seed). Cover with soil and tamp the area firmly with a hoe.

1.As you move forward into a row of

stalks, aim the tiller so that the stalks go between the left wheel and the transmis- sion case (Figure 4-19). Do not use the right wheel because damage could occur to the air cleaner, carburetor or throttle linkage.

Figure 4-20: Tilling under corn stalks.

2.Each new pass should overlap the previous pass by one-half the width of the tiller.

3.Till as deeply as possible. Pull the Depth Regulator all the way UP and engage the lowest notch for deep tilling. Use either LOW or HIGH belt range and SLOW wheel speed gear position.

Let the tilled-in stalks decompose for a week or so. Then till in the remaining residue as deep as possible.

Standing cornstalks of reasonable height can be power composted (Figure 4-20). Pushing over (but not uprooting) corn- stalks will often make it easier for your tiller to chop up the stalks. Keep the tines clear of excessive tangling by “fish- tailing” or frequently using reverse. Make several passes, then return a few days later to finish off any remaining stubble.

Tilling Under Corn

After corn is harvested, the stalks should be tilled into the soil while still green. Dry plants are more difficult to till under, and the roots break loose too easily.

IMPORTANT: Do not pull the roots out by hand or cut the stalks before tilling. Stalks that are firmly anchored by their roots are much easier for the tines to chop, cut, and work under.

Soil Enrichment Idea

Trench Composting — Trench com- posting is easy with the optional Hiller-Furrower Attachment (Section 5). Dig a trench, put in all kinds of organic matter, and cover with soil. Earthworms and microbes will break it down quickly.

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