Garden Tillers

Since it can be a big investment, understanding your gardening needs and the function and features of available models will make your selection process easier.

Tillers serve a variety of purposes in the garden. They are used to break up deep, hard-packed soil in new beds, especially large beds that may be impossible to work by hand. They churn up soil for working in amendments like compost and fertilizer.

Aerating a lawn in preparation for seeding, and incorporating green or cover crops into the soil are more efficiently accomplished with a tiller.

And routine cultivation in established gardens is effectively accomplished with small tillers.

What to Look for in Garden Tillers

You'll need more horsepower (HP) to break up hard ground than to maintain flower beds and established vegetable gardens.

If you have an average size yard and need a little of both, find one with 5–6 hp, which should take care of your needs.

A large new plot of ground is easier to work with a rear tine tiller, the true work horse of the garden.

This big job would be back-breaking with a front tine model, which is better suited for maneuvering in established beds and between rows.

Weeding is a chore in the garden. Here's where a smaller tiller is more efficient for cultivating tight rows of vegetables.

Smaller wheels that turn easily and a light-weight machine will make easy work of maintaining these areas.

They're also great for composting, allowing you to turn and shred the compost in one step.

Consider also any attachments that may be available for the tiller. Some can be fitted with shredders, or dethatching tines.

If these are important to you, models with these features can be useful. But separate tools that have these benefits may be better for these other uses.

How to Select the Right Tiller

Every gardener will have different needs, so base your selection on your own needs, as this is a big investment.

When you know what features you need and which are most important, you're ready to shop around.

There are numerous brands available, all offering a variety of models and features. Make sure that any breakable parts are easily replaceable and cost effective.

Perhaps you should rent a large tiller for a one-time big job and buy one for routine maintenance.

Conversely, if you have a large area and will have ongoing heavy duty uses, and little maintenance of small beds, just the opposite may be a better option for you.

Take some time to consider the garden tillers available and your ongoing needs, and you'll make the selection that works best for you.

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