Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Should You Buy A New Garden Roto Tiller?

By Ursa Gunthis

Don't give up hope, summer is close by even if you do have snow in your yard. Got your dream garden all planned out yet and have the best rototiller picked out for the job? You want one that digs deep to give you nice mulch and fine soil, the kind that runs smoothly through your fingers. The kind of tiller that you know has done a good job.

The garden you are dreaming of will be a reality when you find the right garden rototiller. Just try not to just grab the first one you see in the store, even if it is cheaper than the rest. You get what you pay for and you want some specific features to make that dream garden of yours become a reality.

What you need is a versatile tiller that can handle anything you throw at it, and that includes breaking up the soil, making rows and furrows and cultivating. A superior tiller makes your job a lot easier than digging it by hand. You will likely find three different kinds of tillers simply because they each perform a different task. Make sure you find out what those tasks are before you spend any money.

If you know what you want to do first, that will help when you select a tiller " for instance front or rear tines to dig deep or maybe something lighter. The rear tine digging is good for breaking new areas of ground and adding in fertilizer etc. This is perfect for that lovely big vegetable garden you have in mind. By the way, rear tines are easier to maneuver.

Front action tines are great for digging power and do a superior job on flowerbeds where you want to start afresh with new plants for the next season. If you are faced with having to mix soils to get the type of soil you prefer for your flowers, then go for a mid size tiller with front tines. Hey, when you're done for the season you can admire your nicely muscled arms from wrestling the tiller.

Already have your garden from last year? Then really you would likely only need a smaller rototiller rather than a heavy weight. It's easy to figure out what will suit you, as all you have to do is lift up the model that appeals to you while you are in the store. While you're doing that, measure the width of the front tines and figure out if they will fit between the rows of your flowerbed.

If youre buying new or used, scope out the features on the tiller. You want a tiller that is easy to operate (meaning it starts the first or second time, not the 10th), one that is super easy to maintain and one that is safe for virtually all members of your family to use. To that end look, for things like tines that are shielded, gauges you can actually read not squint to see, easy height adjustments and an auto shut off.

If you don't spend that much time rototilling in your garden and prefer to do it by hand or with a shovel, there is no point in buying a tiller, as they may cost up to $1,000. So, make the choice to rent if that suits your plans and budget better. Saving money these days is the thing to do. - 16492

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