agk@ihuxq.UUCP (01/20/84)
I asked people about their rototiller experiences and got four answers. George Minchenko (osgd!gm) recommends: The only way to recover your investment is to become neighbourhood tiller. Needs some advertizing, though. The going rate around here for the plots of your size [12x20] is between $10 and $15 depending on condition of the to be tilled soil [true in this area, too]. In contrast, Ted Aseltine (cbnds!ted) says: I would suggest that you just rent a roto-tiller ... much cheaper, it takes no storage space, no maintenance costs, no capital investment. From decvax!tektronix!tekig1!barbaral: We have a 4 or 5 hp arien rototiller. We have used it alot. WE moved into a new home. The backyard is full of fill dirt. WE have been growing cover crops of annual rye to build up the soil. We sow the seed in fall, and till it under in spring. We also use it in the vegetable garden area, in our raised beds to mix in compost, etc. Our tiller has tines in the front. From what I've heard, the Troy builts have just as much trouble in hard soil as the other tillers do. When I've asked troy built owners about the troy ad, with a frail little lady plowing away with only one hand, they just laugh, and say that is only possible in very loose soil. She also noted: ...we've decided not to lend ours out any more, PERIOD. Believe me, you find out who your real friends are this way. And decvax!ittvax!bunker!bunkerb!davidson offers healthful advice: I'm 37 and still dig with a spade my 14x30 garden. I find the exercise great, of course I cancel the jogging for the week, The price of a roto tiller is worth it if you don't want to dig. In my real opinion they don"t do as good a job as digging. Conclusion (?): I'm working up the garden: composted grass goes in in the fall, composted leaves go in in the spring; I'm considering some sand to generally loosen up the heavy soil; and I have asparagus and strawberry beds to protect from unwitting tillage. I'm also planning to break up some grass to start an herb garden (any good suggestions there? unusual & good herbs to try?). I think I'll give it the rental & spade treatments another year (I could use the exercise). My garden is big enough for me, but I'm still in the little leagues when it comes to power equipment. Thanks to the respondants, -andy kegel, Beginner Green Thumb