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

Rob,

I suggest that you hire someone with a tractor. (While it might be
theoretically possible to rent a tractor, it would probably cost at least as
much, not to mention your time in learning about the beasts.)

I don't know about the soil in your area, but it's safe to assume than any
area used as a playground has soil that has been compacted for years (or
maybe decades). That compaction alone would argue for a tractor rather than
tilling it yourself.

Landscaping "tarp" should not break a tiller, but you might spend more time
removing it from the tines than tilling.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh


"Rob" wrote in message
m...
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

Thanks.

"Anne Lurie" wrote in message .com...
Rob,

I suggest that you hire someone with a tractor. (While it might be
theoretically possible to rent a tractor, it would probably cost at least as
much, not to mention your time in learning about the beasts.)

I don't know about the soil in your area, but it's safe to assume than any
area used as a playground has soil that has been compacted for years (or
maybe decades). That compaction alone would argue for a tractor rather than
tilling it yourself.

Landscaping "tarp" should not break a tiller, but you might spend more time
removing it from the tines than tilling.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh


"Rob" wrote in message
m...
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

(Rob) said:
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

It would almost be easier to excavate and refill with topsoil. What I
would recommend instead, is to create raised beds for your garden. Raised
beds will save a lot of work and there are many advantages. Look in the
library for a book on raised bed gardening. One method is called Square
Foot Gardening, you can search the internet or check the library for info.
--
McQualude