Rototiller suggestions

[paprikash]

I am in the market for a tiller. Looking at 14-16" models as my garden will likely be in the range of 20x30 I really don't need more. The soil here in S NJ doesn't have any rock larger than 3/4" and for the most part its sandy. Looked at Troy Built and Husqvarna and even the mantis. This is a new garden and has never been tilled, whe I bough the house the area was covered with brush and vines.
Considering the size I have also considered some type of raised bed design, But then I have to come up with about 30 tons of top soil to fill the beds.
On a side note, how long do I have before I have to get early veg like peas and lettuce in?

 

[Kikiriki]

Is there a particular reason you want to till the soil? It actually disturbs the soil environment greatly. Have you researched "no till gardening"?

And if you must clean the area out, there is an alternative: it is free, requires no work on your part, and just a little time. It is the three hen method: contain three hens in your 20x30 area during daylight hours. They will fluff up and lighten compacted soil and remove all the weeds in just a couple of weeks!

Have you started your seeds yet? Neither peas nor lettuce will take summer heat, so want them ready to go. I would set up an indoor growing area. Seed packets usually tell the minium ground temperature required. Using a black ground cover will speed that up. Once the plants are in the ground, use hay or straw to protect them from nighttime cold. An alternative is to go ahead and lay the seeds outside, cover them with some purchased soil, then cover that with the hay. They will sprout when the ground warms up, but if you get an early heat wave, or a late freeze they could have problems. Good luck! I hope you update how it goes...

(I used to live in upstate ny)

 

[lazy gardener]

You want to plant your peas and lettuce as soon as you can "work the soil". If you can get your hands on mulch material, you can build a no dig garden, as suggested by Kikiriki. The cost of a tiller would be prohibitive for the space you're envisioning. If you must till that soil, I'd rent one for the day. Unless you're working an area that is compacted and very bony, you can do everything you need to do with a god sturdy garden fork. You don't even need to break up the soil in the entire garden... just where you'll be planting your seeds. And, unless you have drainage problems, you don't need raised beds. Several years with a garden fork and deep mulch will turn that soil into a perfect tilth of soil that will be super easy to plant every spring. My garden stays under 6" of mulch at all times, and I can get in and plant stuff about 4 - 6 weeks before my neighbors who do the traditional "till it and plant it, and keep cultivating the soil all summer" method. (Because their gardens are too wet.)

Good reading: Back to Eden
The No Work Garden by Ruth Stout

 

[aggiemae]

My advice is not to rototiller ever. It destroys benifical bacteria in the soil, the soil brings weed seeds to the surface and kills earth worms.

It's best to improve the soil by laying a layer of cardboard or or lots of newspaper down and layer lots of compost ( and if you want purchased soil) over the poor soil. The cardboard will keep the weeds down but the important thing is that as it gets and generally stays damp. it attract worms and they will eat through it and begin to pull the compost down into the poor soil. I used our garden and yard waste, you can dig holes and throw it right into the garden but I generally let it have way decompose in the compost tumbler then spead it ot, The worms like it a little chunky.

You can start planting it this right away. lots of plant like the warm soil that you get as the stuff in your compost decomposes. You can tidy it up with a layer of chopped straw (good to reduce evaporation) or mulch ( I like crushed filbert dshells as they are easy to move over if I want to pop in some seeds or baby plants.

 

[bustedchicks]

try looking for a used one on craigslist or other resale. it was on my list but didn't seem cost effective. renting a tiller is way more economical. the tiller is the only way I have found to really get rid of the blackberry roots. they tear the roots and pull them to the surface and dry in the sun.

yes tearing up your garden can damage benes's but they are super easy to restore with compost, compost teas, mycorazae and good ol mollasses. there is also em-1 but I usually drink all that before it gets used in the soil. lol.

how big are your gardens going to be? I would take the tiller money and put it in raised beds. save your back from pushing it and bending over to get all your yummies.

lettuce is an all year round venture for me. holds well to frost but I never get snow.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you do buy a tiller, be sure to get a rear tine one.

 

[dadtochickenfan]

Have you thought about renting one? If you have a way to transport it to and from the rental store, it might make sense. You don't have to store it or maintain it, just run it and return it.

 

[paprikash]

I ended up getting stihl version of a mantis tiller. Local store is going out of business and I got it for $200. For that kind of money I couldn't pass it up. They also had a new troybuilt they were blowing out for $600. After some thought it might be to large for what I want to accomplish. After doing some more reading on gardens I think I can grow what I need in an area of about 20x30. Along with some careful composting of should produce more than enough for a family of 3

 

[lazy gardener]

Glad you found something that will do the job for you.

 

[Ole rooster]

The wife has a Mantis tiller I use, but I till mostly with the horse model TroyBuilt. And no, I don't think any plot for a decent garden is to small. But I would hire a man with a tractor to turn the virgin soil first, then work with the tiller. I've been working the same spot for 30 years and still turn it with my tractor first. That way you can find anything underground you don't want.