RotoTiller - Clods - Cleanup?

[MattBeef]

I rototilled the wife's garden several weeks ago.

It was really cold and damp. But, thought I needed to get it done then.

As a result, there were clods - LOTS of clods. Follow that with the biggest rain-month in recent history -- mess. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Unhappy spouse. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Things (finally) dried out. Had the buddy stop out last week with his rototiller -- redo the whole job.

STILL lots of clods. Still unhappy spouse. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

What can you guys suggest to clean up this mess?

Is there some sort of clod-breaker / cultivator attachment that I can run over the ground?

This is a relatively small garden -- about 50 X 100 feet.

HELP...!?! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Matt

 

[MattBeef]

I rototilled the wife's garden several weeks ago.

It was really cold and damp. But, thought I needed to get it done then.

As a result, there were clods - LOTS of clods. Follow that with the biggest rain-month in recent history -- mess. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Unhappy spouse. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Things (finally) dried out. Had the buddy stop out last week with his rototiller -- redo the whole job.

STILL lots of clods. Still unhappy spouse. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

What can you guys suggest to clean up this mess?

Is there some sort of clod-breaker / cultivator attachment that I can run over the ground?

This is a relatively small garden -- about 50 X 100 feet.

HELP...!?! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Matt

 

[KiotiJohn]

The only thing I can suggest is that you do the tilling over, and from different angles. I haven't had this problem as my tiller has broken up everything just fine. You must have a lot of clay in your soil. Possibly pulling a drag of some sort, such as chain link or an old chain link gate over the garden will do it.

It works for large areas, but will be a little harder to do in a small garden.

John

 

[KiotiJohn]

The only thing I can suggest is that you do the tilling over, and from different angles. I haven't had this problem as my tiller has broken up everything just fine. You must have a lot of clay in your soil. Possibly pulling a drag of some sort, such as chain link or an old chain link gate over the garden will do it.

It works for large areas, but will be a little harder to do in a small garden.

John

 

[JJT]

It sounds like the garden was still too wet. Let it dry out and till it up again. I'd add as much organic matter as possible, (compost, aged manure, leaves, etc). I did that with my garden a few years ago, the change is dramatic.

 

[JJT]

It sounds like the garden was still too wet. Let it dry out and till it up again. I'd add as much organic matter as possible, (compost, aged manure, leaves, etc). I did that with my garden a few years ago, the change is dramatic.

 

[Gator6x4]

Let the ground dry to where a hand full will just stay compressed when squeezed, lower the flapper gate on the rear of the tiller to it lowest setting. Decrease travel speed. The dirt should turn to powder.

 

[Gator6x4]

Let the ground dry to where a hand full will just stay compressed when squeezed, lower the flapper gate on the rear of the tiller to it lowest setting. Decrease travel speed. The dirt should turn to powder.

 

[jbrumberg]

MattBeef:
Welcome to TBN! No good deed goes unpunished /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I agree with JJT. You will need to till your garden again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Heavy clay soil will clump when wet. In addition to adding a lot more organic material (N) I would also add finely ground rock, gravel dust, etc. for remineraliztion of your garden (~200#'s/1000 sq ft). I do a "mix" of rock phosphate (P), granite dust and/or greensand (K). The improvements in your garden may turn /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif to /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif to /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. It does not always work for me though /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Good luck! Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

MattBeef:
Welcome to TBN! No good deed goes unpunished /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I agree with JJT. You will need to till your garden again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Heavy clay soil will clump when wet. In addition to adding a lot more organic material (N) I would also add finely ground rock, gravel dust, etc. for remineraliztion of your garden (~200#'s/1000 sq ft). I do a "mix" of rock phosphate (P), granite dust and/or greensand (K). The improvements in your garden may turn /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif to /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif to /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. It does not always work for me though /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Good luck! Jay