Is there any reason why I would need a rototiller?

Question

I would like to have a vegetable garden next summer. This summer our growing season is about gone. I am in central Maine.

So anyway, why do I need a rototilller? Or do I? Why can't I just use some hand garden tools and dig a hole and plant them that way?

Answer 1

Unless you have hard pack you almost never need a rototiller. Too much tilling I've found to damage the soil. I little hand tilling with a spade and pitchfork is all I've found required. If you have your heart set on rototilling or need to break up really hard soil then you can always rent one.

Answer 2

The best way would be to turn the soil with a shovel.  Using a rototiller can make the ground harder, but if you add enough organic matter and use mulch, it shouldn't be a problem.

You should turn your whole garden to keep improving the soil

I use a rototiller, BTW.

Answer 3

If you don't have a huge garden, you can skip the tiller. If your soil needs to be turned over in the spring, you can rent one to do that or hire someone to till your garden spot. I lived in NH and never had a rototiller of my own. I used hand tools and mulch to control weeds during the growing season.

Answer 4

The way to answer this question is to start with hand tools on your garden.  When you eventually get so tired you step on your tongue, you will say, "Man!  I need a rototiller."

Answer 5

Id say if  1. your garden is bigger than 10X10  and    2. if you plan to grow from now on buy one the right size also if your planning for next year better work the ground now so sod will be rotted by then

Answer 6

You can certainly use hand tools.  A rototiller is for large jobs.  Unless you have a very large garden, do not buy one.  Just rent one for a day.  Troy-bilt of Troy, NY makes the best.  Right now, you should be putting in cool season crops for fall.

Answer 7

It depends upon the size of the garden you want to have and the quality of your soil.

Do you have good soil?  By good soil, I mean that the pH is correct for the plants you want to grow and that the soil has sufficient organic matter.

If you don't know, I would recommend that you get your soil tested.  Your local Cooperative Extension Service can help.  Look them up in the white pages of the phone book.

This is all a build-up to answering your question.  If your garden is not going to be big and your soil is good - you probably don't need a rototiller.  You can dig the holes by hand because you probably will not need to amend the soil.

Lacking a yes to the above, then you'll save breaking your back with work -- get the rototiller...rent it do not buy it.