Rototilling 101: the what, why, and when.

What is rototilling?

Rototillers are rotating blades used to break up and loosen soil. Rototillers can also remove grass, weeds, and small roots to make digging and planting easier. The result is leveled, prepared soil for planting. This type of tilling is best used in residential plots and planting; not large acreage. 

Why use a rototiller? 

Rototilling aerates the soil to allow moisture and air to permeate the ground, allowing seeds to germinate, encouraging root growth, controlling weed growth, and integrating fertilizers into the soil. One plot may be tilled multiple times before planting for different reasons. Most commonly multiple passes are done when creating new gardens and lawns whereas, single pass tilling can be used on preexisting garden plots.  However, it is important to keep in mind that truly healthy soil is full of helpful bacteria, worms, fungi, and microorganisms. Over-tilling a plot can do more damage than good. The amount of rototilling depends on each different owner and property needs. 

When to use rototilling?

Rototilling can be done at any time throughout the year, however, each season has pros and cons depending on the job type. Spring is an ideal time to prep garden spaces and new lawns for planting. In mid-summer, rototilling can prep deer plots, some lawns, and orchards/fruit fields. Fall is the perfect time to re-till decaying gardens to return nutrients to the soil, and prep new lawns for planting.

How we rototill.

Our machine is a 7-foot wide tractor-mounted unit, capable of tilling down 6 inches into the ground. Being a tractor-mounted tool allows our rototiller to cut into compacted soil with ease and cuts out the back-breaking work for landowners. This is not a walk-behind unit and is not ideal for smaller garden beds. Please visit our Contact page to reach out with your specific land wants and needs. We will do our best to accommodate you!