Monday, February 2, 2009

Should You Buy A New Garden Roto Tiller?

By Ursa Gunthis

Hey summer is just around the corner, no really it is! And that means it's time to get things ready to plant in your garden. But, first things first, you need a good garden rototiller, one that digs into the earth nice and deep and mulches it to a lovely fine loam. You know what we mean, the kind of dirt you pick up in your hands and let it run through your fingers, enjoying the quality of a good job done with your garden rototiller.

Just wait until you get your ideal garden rototiller. Hold fire and inspect them closely and don't buy the less expensive one first. It may not be what you need and you really need your tiller to have certain features to tackle the work of preparing your long dreamed of garden.

Here is what you want to be able to do with a versatile rototiller " cultivate, make furrows and rows and break up the soil. Hey, a good garden rototiller will make your job go a lot faster than doing this the old fashioned way with a pointy shovel. There are usually three different kinds of rototillers and they do different things. This is why you want to check them out before you buy them.

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 a garden that doesn't need too much work to get it back into shape? Then really all you would likely need would be a smaller rototiller. The way to tell if it will suit what you want, and won't be too heavy, is to lift it before you buy it. Check how wide the front tines are to make certain it will fit between your rows.

Before you buy a tiller, find out what if offers in terms of features. Get one that starts smoothly right away, is really easy to look after and you don't need a degree in mechanical engineering to fix it and one that anyone could handle. Here is what to look for " auto shut off, easy to read gauges, shielded tines and easy height adjustments.

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.

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