I just bought a house on 1.09 acres of land that was a gravel pit at
one point a long time ago. I have an area in the back yard that we'd
like to turn into a garden but that was previously used as a
playground area. We just ripped up all the old landscaping tarp and
noticed a lot of roots running through. Some as large as my thumb.
Also, when you dig down about 3 inches, you hit some loose clay and
LOTS of gravel and rocks.

My question is: Do I dare rent a walk-behind rototiller to break this
up for a garden, or do I hire or rent a tractor to come till it up for
me? I've never used a rototiller before, but I've heard they can be
like a bucking bronco if they hit soil that has "surprises" like these
in it. Also, I'm not entirely positive we got all the landscaping
tarp. Will a rototiller break if it happens to get hold of it (most
of it is pretty rotten).

thanks for any answers you can give. Please respond to my email
address as well as to the group.

Rob