Every gardener who is worth their salt wants to know what is the best way to get rid of weeds permanently, so they do not dominate and damage your most valued crops.
There are various methods which can be utilized to eliminate and control garden weeds. Within this article, we will focus on removing weeds with a tiller.
The primary benefit of using a weed eater tiller is that it can save you a substantial amount of time and physical labor, which can be quite demanding on your body. A tiller is constructed with blades which are used to break up the soil and turn it over so the piece of land can be prepared for whatever you to choose to add to it.
Roughly, the use of a weed eater tiller compared to breaking up the soil with hand tools can result in the job being quickly and efficiently completed twice as fast. This alone should be enough for you to consider the use of a tiller for weed removal.
Type Of Tiller To Use For Weed Removal
As you may expect, the size of your plot of land and the type of soil you will be working on are the key factors when deciding what type of tiller to utilize.
The following tillers are described with respects to the jobs they best perform.
Cultivator
A cultivator is a lightweight unit which breaks up and mixes loose soil between rows of plants. This machine is excellent for raised beds. However, they are only ideal for smaller areas. There are various models of cultivators which run on petroleum, battery or electric power.
Rear-Tine Tiller
The tines are also known as the blades which a tiller uses to stir up the soil. As the name implies, the rear-tine tiller has the blades situated in the rear and the engine in the front. These units are known to be larger, more powerful and heavier than front-tine tillers.
For example, this machine would be used for transforming a patch of lawn into a bed of flowers. For cultivating the soil between a row of vegetables, the rows should be planted at sixteen inches wide. This will ensure there is enough space to use the machine.
Front-Tine Tiller
With the tines or blades situated at the front, this type of unit is suitable for weed removal between rows of vegetables or plants. If you are looking to do some basic weed removal, this unit is adequate and is not overkill, such as the rear-tine tiller.
Type Of Tines
As discussed, the tines are the blades that grind through the soil to cultivate it. The tines should have multiple cutting surfaces for slicing through weeds and roots and constructed from rigid and durable heavy-duty steel.
The three types of tines include bolo for tilling soil which is deep, slasher for chopping up roots and pick and chisel tines for soil with a high rock composition.
How To Remove Weeds With A Tiller
Removing weeds with a tiller is not an overly complicated task. The first step in using a tiller is to prepare the area you will be tilling. Make sure first to use a mower to cut the grass and weeds as low as possible and remove any rocks which will impede the process.
By doing this, it will prevent the weeds from clogging the tines while tilling the soil. If you are working on ground that is hard or is composed of clay, water the soil to soften the ground.
Next, position the tiller on top of the vicinity where you will be tilling and set the blades down once the unit is positioned correctly. While holding onto the tiller's handles with both hands, press the clutch lever to permit the tines to dig into the soil. Make sure you keep a firm grip on the handles because the blades will slightly jump off the ground before the digging process begins.
You will then have to slowly and steadily push the tiller forward while the blades are cultivating the soil. Once you have completed one row, push down on the handle to raise the blades out of the ground.
Turn the tiller around, set the blades back on the ground and engage the clutch to initiate the motion of the blades. Continue repeating this procedure until the entire section of land is tilled.
How Effective Is A Weed Tiller?
Compared to using hand tools, a weed tiller is extremely effective in that it saves time and is much more powerful. A weed tiller automates the weed removal process and saves you from performing a great deal of strenuous back-breaking labor.
Of course, you should make sure that you are using the proper machine for the job and utilizing it as per its manufacturer’s instructions. You must also keep safety in mind, as the tiller has rotating blades which can cause injury.
This is similar to the safety precautions you should take while mowing your lawn with powered machinery. Removing weeds with a tiller is much more convenient and efficient than other more conventional methods.
Conclusion
Compared to the more old-fashioned method of kneeling down and using hand tools, a weed tiller can be a lifesaver if you have a significant plot of land to cultivate. When used properly, tillers can complete your gardening job in a very thorough and quick manner.
It is estimated that using a tiller can be twice as fast as manual tilling. Your back will also thank you, as it will be saved having to go through the arduous process involved when working by hand.
Tillers also give you an advantage of not having to sweat the long and demanding prospect of removing weeds by hand. A weed tiller will encourage you to keep spending time productively when working in your garden or lawn.
Although they may not be for everyone, they are certainly worth considering when it comes time to break up the soil and prepare your plot for amendments.
