Last Updated on 2022-07-11 by AlexHales
The preparation and maintenance of a vegetable garden requires a lot of effort and attention. For centuries, only physical strength allowed man to turn the earth. Today, this operation is mechanized and motorized; and you can work the soil of your vegetable garden easily, quickly, efficiently thanks to a multitude of machines. Important question: which one to choose? Specialist in gardening and gardening, andersonoutdoorpoweroffers a wide range of new outdoor equipment devices; and above all helps you in your choice by explaining everything you need to know about tillers and tillers. To start with:
How do I prepare my soil?
You want to grow your own vegetables, you have a plot of land reserved for that; but you must prepare the ground to receive your seedlings or plantations. 1st question: has my land already been used for sowing? If so, you can go straight to the second part. But if the answer is no, chances are your soil is too hard, packed down over the years, to plant anything in. A first step is essential:.
Plowing
Operation known to all which consists “simply” in turning the earth. The ploughshare enters the ground, cuts a strip of earth, and turns it over completely. Thus the surface of the ground is decompacted, the surface layer is found buried (it will be able to regenerate easily); and the good soil is found on the surface, ready for the 2nd operation. Plowing requires the use of a plough, pulled by a rototiller or a convertible tiller (or even a micro tractor for larger areas).
Crumbling
After plowing, or the last harvest, the land is loosened, but has an aspect that does not allow sowing: large clods, irregular surface, perhaps some weeds; this must be remedied by breaking up the soil with the tiller. The strawberries of the machine work on the first layer of soil (10 to 30 cm depending on the machine) and will break up all the clods; the curved blades enter the soil, and their rotation (in the direction of travel) strikes the clods, forcing them to crumble. The regular passage of the tools gradually reduces the size of the clods, to make them a regular seedbed with refined soil. Depending on the case, several passages may be necessary.
Refining and maintenance
Your land has been used very regularly and the soil is just compacted on the surface; or you have made your plantations, and you must maintain a clean and light soil all around. The rear tiller, or rear tiller, comes into play. This machine works on the same principle as the tiller, but with 2 fundamental differences. First, the tools work in a closed housing; thus the clods of earth are not only struck by the knives; but are also thrown against the metal casing; crumbling is complete and much more efficient, as it is finer. Next, many of these machines have the ability to rotate the tools, either forwards or backwards. In this second case, the clod “stays longer” in the casing; and the crumbling is even finer. This maintenance machine is ideal for interline cleaning, to keep the soil light, airy, favoring irrigation and nutrient penetration. Note that this operation can also be carried out with the tiller; or a tiller equipped with the appropriate tool.
Now, which machine to use?
The tiller
Also called a 2-wheel tractor, this machine is extremely versatile. It is a driving cell (a tractor) with an engine and a multi-speed transmission, on which are mounted multiple tools and accessories: plow, hoeing cutter, rear cutter, ridger; but also soil preparer with seeder, flail mower, cleaning brush, scraper blade, traile. Very powerful, but requiring a substantial budget, the tiller is generally reserved for professional use, or for large areas (> 400m²).
The tiller
The essential tool for any owner of a vegetable garden. Its role is to hoe the soil, to crumble it, refine it and bury the weeds. The engine, through a transmission system (or even further), drives strawberries, or hoeing tools, to work the land. There are many variants: electric or thermal, many working widths, different transmissions, handlebars with several settings… depending on use. Many machines also offer a certain versatility with the addition of accessories: rear ridger (the cutters are replaced by iron wheels to tow the machine), blunting rotor (instead of the cutters). Finally, some machines are said to be “transformable”; their robust design and manufacture allow them to be transformed into a small tiller. The cutters are replaced by large diameter traction wheels; and a plow is hitched to the rear for plowing. A ridger can also be fitted.
The back cutter
A single-use machine, the rear tiller consists of a support frame with a motor and a transmission, which drive the tiller located at the rear. Depending on the model, it can be equipped with one or more forward gears, and possibly a reverse gear. The working width depends on the engine power. Also, the cutter rotates in the direction of advancement (crumbing); but can also, depending on the model, turn in the opposite direction to forward motion; this is particularly appreciated for refining the planting bed, or cleaning the passage between rows.
Finally, you will have to look at what type of handlebar is fitted to your machine: simple, adjustable in height (to adapt to all users), adjustable in offset (to walk alongside the machine – useful for refining seedbed, or working along a fence); and check the equipment: carrying handle, front wheel (fixed or retractable) or rear trolley for moving the machine. The power hoe has no more secrets for you; then all you have to do is choose your crops and you can “motor-cultivate” while enjoying your vegetable garden. But don’t forget that all the specialists and and outdoors power stores are there to help you and guide you to the right equipment.
