Tilling - breaking new ground, for the first time

[jenkinsph]

Do you have a subsoil plow that you could use to rip it with? It is such a small area compared to large fields it would not take long to do. Then make a quick pass with the tiller mixing in the amendments. Making four passes will pulverize the soil imo.

Many people till to a flour consistency, this destroys the soil structure. It can take several years to get it back. At a USDA meeting I was shown a bottle with good soil structure in it. When water was added it stayed fairly clear. I was then shown a bottle of soil that was over tilled and with water added it was a muddy slurry. If you slowly drain the water out of this slurry it will pack down tight. The soil with good structure is less dense and a little more porous. It will maintain its consistency much better the old root strands in it will help it stay together. During a heavy rain it can hold more water and retain it. The over tilled soil can be easily eroded away. Just something to think about.

When I grade and level fields I often have to over till the soil to get it uniform to grade. Afterwards it will recover if cared for properly. After planting it should last for several years and I recommend using a no till drill to add seed in the future.

 

[jimmysisson]

I haven't put any machine to our garden since the first year, 30 yrs ago. 30x80, raised beds, lots of compost and fish fert. I definitely think you can overdo it with a machine. I know we all love tractors, but in my rural MA soils one would do more damage then help.
Jim

 

[powerscol]

Year old horse or cow poo works great (place 4" and till and good peat (2" and rill) this should keep it from setting up like concrete. Then in fall till in more horse or cow poo. Yes you may deal with weeds, but the organic benefits are worth it. If you can get the poo fresh, pile it up and keep it damp over the summer and it will be ready next spring.I have good luck with minimal turning.

 

[rossn]

Thank.

Jenkinsph -- I have a subsoiler for the heavyhitch that should be arriving next Wed, so I'm holding on doing the second pass of tilling until I have that next weekend. The good thing is that with the first pass, the dirt seemed like it was definitely broken up, but still in clumps. I definitely don't want my soil looking like dust. That said, getting the soil well amended to good depth in the first couple of years is pretty important to me, such that I have something to work with.

On the aspen chips... why aspen in particular, and any idea on volume to apply? Seems like especially in the high phosphate area this would be good, but also worked in deep in the other larger area to provide some long term matter for breakdown.

 

[jenkinsph]

Aspen chips will hold water and slowly release it to the ground providing a little extra moisture for the roots of your plantings. I would mix in about 4 inches of the chips along with other amendments you need according to the test results.

Nothing wrong with having some clumps.

 

[rossn]

Thanks -- though not much luck finding aspen chips here.