Garden Implement Basics for the Beginner

[Nature Girl]

I long for a big organic garden. There is about 3 acres open now for planting. I'm so excited that my Kubota L3700 with FEL (my first tractor) will be delivered in a couple of weeks. Every spare moment has been spent searching the internet for the right implements I need to cultivate the ground and get ready for a spring planting. Some of the words I have never heard before like harrow, so I am really new to this world.

Can you amazing experts please suggest the basic attachments and sizes I would need to get the job done? Missouri soil is a little rocky not rich. I am also searching for the right grapple since clearing will be hot on my list.

With appreciation,
Nature Girl

 

[Don87]

The first thing you will need is way to turn the ground over, I would suggest a tiller. Get one wide enough to cover both tire tracks, you'll be glad you did.

 

[smstonypoint]

Welcome.


Have you checked the videos at Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements.? Lots of info on the various attachments -- what they are used for and how to use them.


Steve

 

[Don87]

I would also suggest one of these: CountyLine One-Row Cultivator - 2128139 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[bp fick]

Welcome to TBN.

I have almost 2 acres, this year, put into organic gardening. Last year, I expanded from a pilot plot to almost an acre.
I just got back from Texas where I put in a 3 acre organic plot for a brother down there, using a tractor similar to your L series Kubota.

The tillers are wonderful, but quite pricey and if you have a few rocks, these can also cause some situations.

There is, basically, two way of tilling the soil to get a seed or/and transplant bed. The old way was to plow/disc if necessary/then pull a "harrow" which is a device with tongs or teeth to complete the dressing of the soil.

The roto tiller potentially compresses those action into one device, by pulling a rotating tined implements through the dirt. Similar to a walk behind roto tiller, except your tractor does the walking and it is powered off you rear PTO. That said, a tiller is a bit slow. Doing 2/3 acres will take some time.

One way isn't right and the other isn't wrong. They are just different.
Frankly, there isn't a lot monetary difference between buying a plow, buying a disk, buying harrow (which can be used as both a field cultivator-harrow or as a one row cultivator once the plants are up) or buying a tiller. But, in my opinion, you'll still need a middle buster to dig potatoes and use a subsoiler to break up the pan a tiller creates and a cultivator in addition to a roto tiller anyhow.

If you really want to start out on the cheap, you can get by with a simple and inexpensive potato plow or middle buster. It just takes more passes, but eventually, one ends up with a similar result as using a turn over share plow.

Take a look at my youtube video I made late last June. Ask any questions and I'll try to be of assistance.
YouTube - Plants2b.mov

 

[bp fick]

This field in Troup Texas was rough old, unworked pasture. I doubt it has been tilled in over 20 years. Here is what a middle buster plow ($140) alone can do to a field. Actually quite impressive, when the low cost is considered. This was plowed twice, a week a part. We'll be planting onions this week down there, with peas and such a bit later on.

That Century you see is about the size of your Kubota.

 

[Nature Girl]

This is super information and now I have some new words to add to my gardening implement vocabulary. I will do some google searching to see the tools and thanks so much for the link to the Youtube too!

 

[Don87]

Welcome to TBN.

I have almost 2 acres, this year, put into organic gardening. Last year, I expanded from a pilot plot to almost an acre.
I just got back from Texas where I put in a 3 acre organic plot for a brother down there, using a tractor similar to your L series Kubota.

The tillers are wonderful, but quite pricey and if you have a few rocks, these can also cause some situations.

There is, basically, two way of tilling the soil to get a seed or/and transplant bed. The old way was to plow/disc if necessary/then pull a "harrow" which is a device with tongs or teeth to complete the dressing of the soil.

The roto tiller potentially compresses those action into one device, by pulling a rotating tined implements through the dirt. Similar to a walk behind roto tiller, except your tractor does the walking and it is powered off you rear PTO. That said, a tiller is a bit slow. Doing 2/3 acres will take some time.

One way isn't right and the other isn't wrong. They are just different.
Frankly, there isn't a lot monetary difference between buying a plow, buying a disk, buying harrow (which can be used as both a field cultivator-harrow or as a one row cultivator once the plants are up) or buying a tiller. But, in my opinion, you'll still need a middle buster to dig potatoes and use a subsoiler to break up the pan a tiller creates and a cultivator in addition to a roto tiller anyhow.

If you really want to start out on the cheap, you can get by with a simple and inexpensive potato plow or middle buster. It just takes more passes, but eventually, one ends up with a similar result as using a turn over share plow.

Take a look at my youtube video I made late last June. Ask any questions and I'll try to be of assistance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB6mgE5NhEM

Nice garden

I haven't made a garden the size of yours, but I have done the middlebuster first, followed by the one row cultivator, and it seemed to take just about the same amount of time as the tiller. The tiller seemed work the ground a little better for my soil though.

The middlebuster is another 'must have' though.

Another thing I'm going to do is put 'disc hillers' on the cultivator for hilling potatoes: DISC HILLERS - Agri Supply

Prices appear to be reasonable at the above site.

 

[Don87]

Just found this, someone already did what I'm talking about: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...per-builder-manufacturers-100_0878-small-.jpg

Full thread here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/93017-row-hipper-builder-manufacturers.html

 

[bp fick]

Yeah, and that's the point, I guess.

For beginners, they shouldn't postpone an attempt at a garden just because they don't have the $1700-$2300 for a tiller.

My advice, FWIW is to buy a middle buster and cultivator, which you are going to need anyhow, first. You need them, will use them, so get them.

When the funds permit, then get the tiller.
Most folks also have an old walk behind tiller around anyway, in my experience, which will get them started.

I encourage people to not let the steep price of a tiller keep them from gardening. Go to it!!! Use what you have, but get that garden in! :thumbsup: