Tiller operation in a fenced garden

[cmhyland]

Hi guys,
For those of you who run a tiller and have a fenced garden, what is your methodology? Gates at each end of the garden? What is layout of the garden to make using the tiller and turning the machine in the fenced area easiest?

Are you using a Bedder or Row Hipper to raise up your rows? I'm trying to determine the best way to operate the machine in the space, and not have to fence 100% more space than I need.

Thanks,
Chris

[mikehaugen]

I assume you are using a rear tine tiller? Can't think of a good way, I use a rabbit fence with re-bar posts and take it down every year, but what a pain. Last year I didn't even put it up. What kind of fence do you have... would it be practical/ possible to remove panels?

[hunterridgefarm]

I have an electric fence around 2-3 acre garden and plow, disc, and till. What I do is tie off the electric wire on each corner. if needed I will attached a short lead from one corner wire to the other. It also allows me to pull the wire tighter. When I need to do my first plowing on tilling I can take the wire loose form one corner and roll it up. I use those reels like you put long extension cords on. The wire is easy to roll up and roll back out.

I usually take two sides down when prepping the ground in early spring. Once I get most things in the ground I put the fence back up. I have enough room between the fence and crops to drive the tractor or mule around the garden for easy access to harvest.

I attached a couple of pics but I don't thing you can see the tie off very good.

[cmhyland]

I assume you are using a rear tine tiller? Can't think of a good way, I use a rabbit fence with re-bar posts and take it down every year, but what a pain. Last year I didn't even put it up. What kind of fence do you have... would it be practical/ possible to remove panels?

I haven't put up the fence yet... I don't want to be in a position to revoe the fence every year.... I suspect we'll be in the 50' X100' ot 100'x100' size so I can fence the layout based on the tilling plan.

And sorry... yes it's a 60" rear tiller.

Thanks,
Chris

[skylarkguy]

I go through the gate on one end and open the fence on the other. My garden is an "L" shape due to other constraints...I don't recommend this layout. Since you still have to build the fence perhaps gates on either ends are the way to go.

[cmhyland]

I have an electric fence around 2-3 acre garden and plow, disc, and till. What I do is tie off the electric wire on each corner. if needed I will attached a short lead from one corner wire to the other. It also allows me to pull the wire tighter. When I need to do my first plowing on tilling I can take the wire loose form one corner and roll it up. I use those reels like you put long extension cords on. The wire is easy to roll up and roll back out.

I usually take two sides down when prepping the ground in early spring. Once I get most things in the ground I put the fence back up. I have enough room between the fence and crops to drive the tractor or mule around the garden for easy access to harvest.

I attached a couple of pics but I don't thing you can see the tie off very good.

So you don't use any stock fencing? 100% electric... does this keep out the rabbits and woodchucks?

[cmhyland]

I go through the gate on one end and open the fence on the other. My garden is an "L" shape due to other constraints...I don't recommend this layout. Since you still have to build the fence perhaps gates on either ends are the way to go.

My thoughts were running towards gates on each end. That is what I used to do years ago when I had a garden and tilled with a garden tractor....

Thanks,
Chris

[hunterridgefarm]

So you don't use any stock fencing? 100% electric... does this keep out the rabbits and woodchucks?

No stock fence. Very little problem with rabbits. I think it is due to a couple of hawks that watch the field. I do some times have a problem with a groundhog but not to the point of needing to add stock fence. My big problem is deer.

[schmism]

Dont have access to my website to upload a paint image so ill do my best to explain in words....

each side of the fence referred to by its compass direction.

rear tiller on a CUT.

Gate in the west fence at the north corner.

drive in, pull around and back into far south east corner.
drop tiller and drive north tilling swath along east edge. Stop when the tractor bumper is about a foot from the north fence.
back up and over one pass.
repeat tilling as above.
last pass is along west edge and you can just turn left and pull out the gate.

this leaves a path at the north edge of the garden a little wider than the length of the tractor which leaves access to the garden for the tractor in the future.

[/pine]

IMO... for just gardening...your best bet is to re-work your fencing so it is removable/replaceable after tilling/hilling for each season...that's what I do... it makes the entire process so much easier...