To use rototiller or not?

[radioman]

1.5 acres is alot of garden with stones in it. I agree a middle buster with soil soiler combo would work. If you really have alot of slate like stones that peels easy, I'd pull the subsoiler first to see how much HP you are using. IF it easy going, you could swap to middlebuster and keep going.

Chances are you will be picking up stones for a few months till cows come home. once you get most of area turned over, stones picked up you will be better off to reaccess your garden to see if it feasible or not.

 

[CBW1999]

You should consider finding someone with a bigger tractor that can use a plow and disc harrow- or the like, to do the initial work.

1.5 acres is mighty big and you may find progress depressingly slow with your tractor (been there). However, once busted up, you should have little problems maintaining it with your tractor.

I have high clay soil, and when I built my garden spot I tried using a 5 foot disk. My B7510 wouldn't consistently break through, so I ended up using a middle buster, then tilled it. In retrospect, I wish I had hired someone.....

I'm thinking that- within reason, the cost of hiring someone would not be too far off the cost of the fuel you would use (and the cost of Beer to drink while watching them do it :thumbsup:)

Ask around and see what others have luck with in your area, you may get some good ideas.

 

[ecoslik]

For any and all pests, creatures we want to keep out of an area/garden, we use Premiere's, PermaNetｮ 19/68/3 Electric Netting. It is super effective. :thumbsup:

It is a bit expensive, but solves the pest problems. Of course, birds might still eat the seed.

PermaNetｮ 19/68/3 Electric Netting - Premier1Supplies

 

[Baby Grand]

I have about 1.5 acres I want to turn into a garden and have an interest in buying a rototiller but wonder if it is what I need vs discs and a middlebuster. My tractor is a Kubota B2320dt and the ground here (central Kentucky) in my area has an awful lot of rock under the soil, many call it slate but it is looks like what we used to call shell rock... for the most part, the stuff will peel apart like a deck of cards. Will a rototiller work in this type soil or would I be better off using discs? Thanks for your input.

Sounds like you're situated on top of a shale formation. I'm not sure how deep the soil you have is until you hit either too much rock to plow thru or ledge/bed rock, but the subsoiler/middlebuster sounds like a very reasonable way to explore what you have before you decide weather or not to spend big money on a tiller or disc that's built rugged enough to take the abuse. With all that rock you may want to look for a subsoiler or middlebuster with shear bolt protection so you don't tear your tractor up during your ripping adventure - it may cost a wee bit more to buy, but if it helps you avoid a nasty repair bill, then it's money well spent.

-Jim