How to Till and Cultivate Your Garden in 10 Easy Steps (2024)

FAQs

How to till for beginners? ›

Before You Till

You should always check the state of your soil before tilling. Avoid tilling in wet soil as soil compaction can occur and lead to poor root penetration in the growing season. If it rains, it's best to wait a few days to allow soil to become semi-dry.

Soil cultivation (or digging) refers to turning over your soil to a spade's depth to bury weeds and debris into your soil and aerate the ground to avoid compaction. It makes it easier for air nutrients and water to penetrate deep into the soil for plants' roots to access.

The purpose of tilling is to mix organic matter into your soil, help control weeds, break up crusted soil, or loosen up a small area for planting. You do not need to till or break up the soil very deep; less than 12 inches is better.

Should You Wet the Ground Before Tilling? If the garden soil that you are planning on tilling is too dry, you should consider adding water to it before you till. Less is usually more, but water to a depth of about 4 inches. Let the water penetrate the soil before you begin the tilling process.

Motorized rotary tiller. The most effective way to till a large patch of garden or entire bed is with a rototiller. It's powerful enough to break up large soil clumps, mix compost deep into the soil or cover last year's dead plants with soil. Garden tiller rental is an option for those who don't want to purchase one.

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

The cheapest way to build your garden steps ideas is by using sleepers as risers. These can be set into the ground on edge and fixed to treated, timber posts.

How to plant a vegetable garden step by step? ›

There are two basic rules when arranging plants in the beds: 1) space the individual plants so that they touch each other when they reach their mature size, and 2) overlap the masses of plants and connect them so that they flow without space between them. Avoid gaps or large open areas between masses.

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.