How to Till a Garden Without a Tiller

HOW TO HOW TO Till a Garden Without a Tiller Till a Garden Without a Tiller

1. Shovel or Spade 1. Shovel or Spade Using your shovel or spade, dig up the soil (at least 6 inches down) and use the head of the tool to break up compacted clumps. Using your shovel or spade, dig up the soil (at least 6 inches down) and use the head of the tool to break up compacted clumps.

2. Garden Hoe 2. Garden Hoe Adopt a chop and pull method—swing down from hip height, then pull the soil toward you—moving backward or forward as you till. Adopt a chop and pull method—swing down from hip height, then pull the soil toward you—moving backward or forward as you till.

3. Claw or Cultivator 3. Claw or Cultivator A garden claw tool like this highly rated option available at Amazon ensures that you remain standing comfortably while tilling, breaking up the ground by rotating the handle. A garden claw tool like this highly rated option available at Amazon ensures that you remain standing comfortably while tilling, breaking up the ground by rotating the handle. *BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

4. Broadfork 4. Broadfork The gardener steps on the flat metal bar to force the tines into the soil and gently rocks back to loosen the soil. The gardener steps on the flat metal bar to force the tines into the soil and gently rocks back to loosen the soil.

5. Your Hands 5. Your Hands While hands can till the soil in a pinch, this method is not ideal nor recommended for larger spaces. Stick to smaller planters if you use your hands. While hands can till the soil in a pinch, this method is not ideal nor recommended for larger spaces. Stick to smaller planters if you use your hands.

6. Earthworms 6. Earthworms Earthworms naturally improve drainage as they work through the soil, loosening and aerating it on their journey. Earthworms naturally improve drainage as they work through the soil, loosening and aerating it on their journey.

7. Cover Crops 7. Cover Crops A cover crop helps keep the soil usable. It renders tilling unnecessary, since these plants can lessen soil compaction and cut down on erosion. A cover crop helps keep the soil usable. It renders tilling unnecessary, since these plants can lessen soil compaction and cut down on erosion.

8. Double-Digging 8. Double-Digging Dig a trench and remove the soil into a wheelbarrow. Aerate the the bottom of the trench and add compost. Dig a second trench, placing the soil from this trench on top of the compost from the first one. Dig a trench and remove the soil into a wheelbarrow. Aerate the the bottom of the trench and add compost. Dig a second trench, placing the soil from this trench on top of the compost from the first one.

9. Raised Beds 9. Raised Beds Use a raised bed like this one from Land Guard . It sit above ground, and you add your choice of soil, mulch, and compost to prepare it for planting. Use a raised bed like this one from Land Guard . It sit above ground, and you add your choice of soil, mulch, and compost to prepare it for planting.

10. No-Dig Method 10. No-Dig Method This method leaves the soil alone to maintain itself naturally; you only add a top layer of compost as needed. With this technique, you only dig into the soil when planting or weeding. This method leaves the soil alone to maintain itself naturally; you only add a top layer of compost as needed. With this technique, you only dig into the soil when planting or weeding.

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