To Rotavate or Not?

SalB · « **on:** November 08, 2008, 21:05 »

As some of you may have already realised , I am very new to this lotty lark.

I have 3.5 rod which is a brand new plot and I have dug over 3/4 of it all ready (and loved every minute of it)

I have planted some onions, garlic and shallots on the corner that has been completely cleared of weeds and manured etc ....

My friend who is "allegedly" assisting me on this venture keeps going on about rotavating the rest of the plot.

Should I hire in a Rotavator and chop everything up , or will the fact that I have dug for England , removed all the weeds and broken the soil up do the job.... I know which answer I would prefer , but thought I'd ask anyway

Thanks in advance
Sal

Rampant_Weasel · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2008, 21:09 »

if u have rough dug it already thats all u need to do.frost will do the rest and when u dig it again in the spring it will break up like sand.if u rotavate it now it will just make it like a massive dollop of pudding and u wont get the air in it like if it was rough dug.

SalB · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2008, 21:16 »

Thanks for that , I will dig over the last bit and then wait for the frost to do it's bit

Was the answer I was hoping for .... didn't really want to hire a rotovator , put fuel in it and have to ask the husband how to drive it!

At least I can drive a spade and a fork all on my own!

Rampant_Weasel · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2008, 21:29 »

very easy tbh, same as a lawn mower but bumpier.

llinx · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2008, 23:59 »

A rotavator is really useful for unworked ground such as mine. As we plot holders have gotten a new patch, we are faced with dense, heavy, WELL compacted clay. We used this to initially churn the ground. Now we all just use use forks and spades.

mikem · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2008, 08:45 »

Whilst I "Winter dig" I have a Mantis Tiller that I find useful to use in the Spring to get the soil down to a reasonable tilth. It helps to dry the soil out and get it warmer so that I can sow the seed a bit earlier.

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To Rotavate or Not?

llinx