Just broke untouched ground - middlebuster

[mroe21877]

yesterday i broke up a 100x50 (about) area with the yellow version of TSC's middlebuster on my BX1860. I was concerned about the fit but its perfect - in fact I am confused as to why an XB version even exists. The ground that is to become the garden was basically just part of the side lawn so its been mowed as such for 17+ years by the former owner - we just moved in a little over a year ago.

I cannot decide if I want to till or disc - not sure if a disc would even do it. The ground is teeming with worms but is still compacted pretty badly - i suppose from years of mowing and never being broken. On one hand id like to maintain the wormy environment but I dont think it is suitable for growing. Plus i dont know if a disc would ever cut the lumps up enough to plant. The ground doesnt clod - after i gave it time to dry the clumps broke easily. But since it was all grass the buster basically created sheets of sod which are strong.

So what do you all think? would a disc even be able to cut this up enough? I think im leaning toward tiller, even though it means the demise of the worms, as I think the soil needs fluffing up. I plan on a large garden with many root veg and as it stands the roots veg wouldnt do well.

As an aside the land used to be corn field years ago. This house was built 17 years ago. so the ground hasnt been touched in at least that long aside from mowing.

 

[flusher]

yesterday i broke up a 100x50 (about) area with the yellow version of TSC's middlebuster on my BX1860. I was concerned about the fit but its perfect - in fact I am confused as to why an XB version even exists. The ground that is to become the garden was basically just part of the side lawn so its been mowed as such for 17+ years by the former owner - we just moved in a little over a year ago.

I cannot decide if I want to till or disc - not sure if a disc would even do it. The ground is teeming with worms but is still compacted pretty badly - i suppose from years of mowing and never being broken. On one hand id like to maintain the wormy environment but I dont think it is suitable for growing. Plus i dont know if a disc would ever cut the lumps up enough to plant. The ground doesnt clod - after i gave it time to dry the clumps broke easily. But since it was all grass the buster basically created sheets of sod which are strong.

So what do you all think? would a disc even be able to cut this up enough? I think im leaning toward tiller, even though it means the demise of the worms, as I think the soil needs fluffing up. I plan on a large garden with many root veg and as it stands the roots veg wouldnt do well.

As an aside the land used to be corn field years ago. This house was built 17 years ago. so the ground hasnt been touched in at least that long aside from mowing.

Till or disc? I've done it both ways--either one gets the job done (brake up the clods). I tow a drag (something heavy) behind the disc to level the soil.

Worms--the gardener's best friend. My 87 year old neighbor puts in a 1-acre veggie garden each year. He has a twin-axle dump trailer that he takes to the worm farm in Durham, CA and gets two loads of worm casings to work into the soil with his rototiller (he uses an Allis Chalmers 716 riding mower/rototiller combo). The secret to rototilling is to go slow (tractor in the lowest gear).

 

[nybirdman]

I don't think a disc(the size your tractor could pull) would do very well.Multiple passes with a tiller would be best.May want to look at cultivators;would take a lot of passes but should work and you would have the cultivators to use after the garden starts.The first year you break ground is the hardest,it will get better.Replow in the fall for next year.

 

[Gods Country]

How about some pics of your bx with middlebuster?

I'm curious what your ground clearance is.

I've been wanting to get one this year too.

 

[Don87]

While a few worms will be killed with a tiller, most will not. And the worms that are cut in half, behind the heart section, will grow new tails.

I should also add that worms feel vibrations, when that tiller starts beating the ground, the worms will go deeper underground.

If you can afford a tiller, it's the best thing to use. Get a tiller that will cover both tire tracks, it makes life much easier.

 

[Don87]

Interesting reading about worms: Worms - Frequently Asked Questions

 

[bp fick]

Looks very familiar. I pulled up an old photo of "virgin" sod mess I plowed up a year and half ago. However, I did it in fall!!! That gave the winter the freeze/thaw cycle to work on it.

Actually, you can disk or till, but I gotta just say, I'd honestly plow it again, It may look like it's plowed, but if memory serves, I re-plowed two weeks later, trying hard to be a "half a tractor" over from my previous "rows" and it worked very well to break it one more time. You'd never recognize that soddy mess now as it is perfect, soft and nice tilth.

As to the two "short" middle busters, I can only speculate that early on, a lot of subcuts, Kubota BX included, were sort of limited Cat 1 geometry. I know with the recent renditions, Kubota improved the geometry and it likely makes less difference now.

Great job, btw. Keep at it.

 

[mroe21877]

attached are pics with the middlebuster raised and engaged. I cant seem to get it to go more than a few inches. ground is a bit too moist. just barely holds together if a grab a handfull. now that its turned its drying nicely.

Im going to look for a tiller. good point about many growing back. I also noticed that the area i tilled first was without worms pretty quick so i think they went deep. plus the ride is plenty bumpy and going is slow. I can imagine the work it would take to disc till it was right.

If i can find a tiller nearby and not have to ship i think ill go that route and hit it again with the buster around friday after work.

 

[mroe21877]

forgot to mention - this was hit going length ways then 90 degrees and a few diagonal rides. the diagonal is an.... interesting ride.

 

[jimmyj]

Nice job and pictures. If you can afford a tiller you will use it for many years to come with a garden that large. Good luck.