Tiller How big should I go? Topic is 3 pt Rototillers.........

[CincyFlyer]

OK, not doubting your word on this but, I'm curious just how one would know this?

Well, we had some. I looked for them; I like to fish! In this part of Ohio, you can actually dig up the clay and make pottery (I've done it!) Where I live, it's as if someone stripped the topsoil completely (which isn't unlikely, from the history of this plot and the surrounding area.) As a fisherman, I found that there were very few redworms or earthworms, and only in spots where enough organic material existed to break up the clay (or down by the creek). The only places that we tilled were for flower gardens, not more than a couple thousand square feet, BTW. After tilling, we had worm explosions—so there must have been a few around. But, as I mentioned, the tilling was only to make the soil attractive to the picky flowers for the little woman! It's not something that I would do on a regular basis, especially to a lawn (as it were; still too much clay, bare spots take forever to grow grass).

 

[blackrams]

Well, we had some. I looked for them; I like to fish! In this part of Ohio, you can actually dig up the clay and make pottery (I've done it!) Where I live, it's as if someone stripped the topsoil completely (which isn't unlikely, from the history of this plot and the surrounding area.) As a fisherman, I found that there were very few redworms or earthworms, and only in spots where enough organic material existed to break up the clay (or down by the creek). The only places that we tilled were for flower gardens, not more than a couple thousand square feet, BTW. After tilling, we had worm explosions—so there must have been a few around. But, as I mentioned, the tilling was only to make the soil attractive to the picky flowers for the little woman! It's not something that I would do on a regular basis, especially to a lawn (as it were; still too much clay, bare spots take forever to grow grass).

OK, was just curious.

Had a herd of them worms stampede through my property last spring. Scared the daylights out of the wife, happened at night, she swore she felt the earth move.

 

[PandDLong]

This post causes me to question what I'm doing. I've been using a small walk behind tiller for several years for my wife's small garden but a couple years ago, I decided to plant Sunflowers. Sunflowers bring in the birds that my wife loves to see and provide their own scenic beauty. (She has six or seven Hummingbird feeders also in addition to four or five bird feeders.) Regardless, at the end of the season, I cut the dead/dying stalks down and burn them in place. Should I be tilling them into the soil? Or, removing them and disposing of them in another manner?

I think adding the organic material back into the soil is the way to go. I spread around the dead/dying plants onto my garden at the end of the season and shred them with the mower. Whether I till them them in right then or the next spring, they are fully decomposed into the soil surprisingly quickly,

 

[blackrams]

I think adding the organic material back into the soil is the way to go. I spread around the dead/dying plants onto my garden at the end of the season and shred them with the mower. Whether I till them them in right then or the next spring, they are fully decomposed into the soil surprisingly quickly,

I agree with mixing the dead plants back into the soil. Similar to back on the farm where we plowed and turned over last years crops and disc them back into the soil. The doubt comes in that I burn the plants right there where I plan to replant next year's crop.



Rams

 

[ovrszd]

Appreciate all the replies, suggestions and advice. Will check out as much as I can.

My BIL just offered to loan me his 5 foot tiller on a long term loan basis. He said that it is actually a 4 foot tiller with 6 inch extensions on each side. Suggested we take off the extensions. Sounds like a plan with one problem. I don't borrow equipment. I think it is an option but, only if he'll sell it to me. Things that get borrowed always seem to get broke and I hate having to fix or buy parts that aren't for my machines. I always return things I've used in as good as or better condition than when I borrowed it. That can get expensive. It is, what it is.

Me too. Out of necessity I have borrowed my neighbors 3pt backhoe a few times over the past couple years. I've spent $1000 repairing it. I should have hired a backhoe.

 

[ovrszd]

That looks like a perfect tiller for my Ford 1210 at a decent price but......................
I'm having a hard time not offering my BIL the few hundred bucks he's told me he'd take for his 5 foot tiller if I can remove the two 6" extensions (which will make if 48" in width). That's a few inches wider than my tractor but, I have to assume I could always remove a few tines to get where I want or need to be.

Rams

Same neighbor that loaned me his backhoe had a 6ft KK rototiller that had been used very little. He said borrow it anytime you want. I never did. He died of Cancer little over a year ago. Before he died he told me and his wife that he wanted to sell me the tiller for $500. I went out to the pickup, got $500 in cash, went back in and paid him. I know Karen would have loaned me that tiller anytime I wanted. But I'm very glad he made that offer and that I was able to pay him.

 

[RSKY]

OK, was just curious.

Had a herd of them worms stampede through my property last spring. Scared the daylights out of the wife, happened at night, she swore she felt the earth move.

Be careful with those Kentucky earthworms. Had an uncle that went to raising them. Made good money at first. Then went broke after spending $2000 for a registered stud. First morning after he let it loose an early bird got it.

RSKY

 

[fried1765]

Be careful with those Kentucky earthworms. Had an uncle that went to raising them. Made good money at first. Then went broke after spending $2000 for a registered stud. First morning after he let it loose an early bird got it.

RSKY

Ahh......come on !!!!

 

[blackrams]

Precisely why I'm putting in an underground fence!

My theory is that that stampede was caused by one of those Kentucky Worm studs on the prowl. :confused3:

Rams