[veggienut]

Hi.
Thanks for all your help.
Just one more thing I promise!
I can hire a 8hpCanon rotavator for £50: seriously thinking about it, am in agony with my lower back.
My idea: rotavate and then take out any remaining weeds then cover up up area with cardboard, just been to the dump and chap has given me loads.

yes I am a novice and if this really is a bad idea please tell me> I do not want to loose my plot already getting grief about this.

[zazen999]

Personally, I'd cover with the cardboard and leave the rotavator. Plant through the card next year and just put bricks or shovelfuls of soil over the top of the card [or well rotted manure] to weigh it down, and that will also keep 90% of the weeds down. Then, as you grow and harvest stuff, take out any weeds and roots that you find.

This works better on a bed system, where you put paths of [for example] weed fabric down to walk on and just mark off the beds, usually the weeds grow at the edges so they are easily dug out.

[Ice]

Yes agree, a bed system might be the answer if your back problem is ongoing.

[starry]

if you have a bad back I wouldnt use a rotivator they do take it out of your back !!

[aelf]

if you have a bad back I wouldnt use a rotivator they do take it out of your back !!

my thoughts exactly! Rotivating is the last thing you should be doing if you have back problems (unless it's a sit-n-ride).

[noshed]

I split my plot into 4' wide beds with paths between - mostly just grass and weeds. You'll find if you mark them out with string and then put the cardboard down, weighted as above, it will immediately look much tidier and less daunting. Then you can just work at one bed at a time - perhaps get some of your mates round for a dig-in and a laugh. (See the first bit of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for hints.)

[tode]

Know what its like, Veggie, had similar problem. But it can get better. 
If you have to use rotavator, or similar, make sure that its set properly for your height, so you're not using it in "bent over" posture.
I always suffer after using the strimmer, cos the handle isn't long enough.
Hope it gets better soon. 

[veggienut]

Hi.
thanks guys for all yur help.
Have decided I will not be using a rotavator: have found alot of couch grass so that would only make matters worse
Will plot out my beds, lay cardboard down and dig a little at a time.
think I might get an ipod!!

[zazen999]

Good thinking.

I had a bad back, we rotavated our grassy garden when we moved here and then I had a worse bad back and a bad wrist.  Typical.

[pushrod]

I have a bad back and have a mantis (very lightweight tiller/cultivator) and it is brilliant. Father in law bought a big heavy rotovator (6hp+ i think) and it was an absolute nightmare - shook you to pieces.

So definitely agree with those saying steer clear of big rotovators if you have a bad back.

Edit : i found i could use a garden claw without wrecking my back too much