Garden soil requires preparation and maintenance in order to produce healthy plants. A gardener will use a tiller and a cultivator to achieve the best soil. While these machines are similar, there are a few differences in their purposes.
Preparing garden soil through tilling and cultivating yields bountiful crops.
Tiller
A tiller prepares the soil for planting. The machine can reach 8 to 10 inches into the soil.
Cultivator
Weeding between rows of crops is done with a cultivator. Soil is loosened around the plants to remove weeds and encourage water absorption.
Using a Tiller
Remove sticks and large stones from the area to be tilled. Stand behind the machine and firmly grasp the handles. Use the tiller in a backward and forward motion to loosen the soil. Continue tilling through each area of the garden until all soil is loosened.
Using a Cultivator
Stand behind the machine and grasp the handles. Ease the cultivator in between plants, removing weeds. Loosening the soil around plants will aid root development. Be careful not to disturb the plants with the cultivator.
Combination Machines
Some manufacturers produce a combination tiller/cultivator. These machines can be used for deep tilling and gentle cultivating, reducing the need for multiple garden machines.
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