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#1
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Rototillers, roots, and rocks...
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 |
#2
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Rototillers, roots, and rocks...
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 |
#3
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Rototillers, roots, and rocks...
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 |
#4
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Rototillers, roots, and rocks...
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