Learn about using the tiller and the hoe for spring vegetable garden in this free gardening video from a horticulture expert.
Expert: David Rodriguez
Bio: David Rodriguez is the County Extension Agent-Horticulture for Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Bexar County of the Texas A&M University System.
Filmmaker: Mark Sullivan
Let the worms do the airating
fatturdburger 1 year ago
How can he say dont use a tiller, when he use it on his plot, that why the soil is very crumble.
MsTansy 2 years ago
plowing is supposed to loosen the soil and improve the penetration of air, but this in fact has the opposite effect of compacting the soil and decreasing air porosity. plowing *appears* to to create air spaces in the soil and soften the dirt. but the effect is the same as kneading bread: it breaks into smaller particles which take on a regular physical arrangement with smaller interstitial spaces. the result is harder, denser soil.
palui 2 years ago
Yeah, by 'seed weeds' he means weeds sitting dormant a few inches below the surface that might start germinating if disturbed. You can disturb them about as easily with a hoe as with a tiller though, from what I've seen.
The key in this case, with raised beds, is not to disturb the soil to a greater depth than you plan on planting. The ~8 inches brought in to fill the beds should be plenty for any veggie, so I think he was just warning against delving too deeply in general. Greedy dwarves.
lobsterpotpot 2 years ago
"seed weeds"?
Hollrobb 2 years ago
Wrong. Go ahead and till that soil. Rototill it good. The point is you want to break up the soil. It allows oxygen and water into the soil. Add compost or leaves in the fall. Till them into the soil as well. Makes for healthy soil.
crazy650c 2 years ago
I'm with you on that one. I shovel til and hoe the weeds.
Kamoyaker 2 years ago