Topic: Rotovator/Cultivator advice

[MattBristol]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a rotovator/digger. They are a bit pricey and wanted to save some cash.

Does anyone have any experience of using this machine? All the reviews are positive but I'm skeptical on the authenticity!

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/coopers-of-stortford-the-micro-light-petrol-tiller-cultivator-prodst08957i/

thanks

[goodlife]

I can only say it looks like any other light weight cultivator that works best in 'not so compacted' ground...it is definitely not one for turning grass land over.
It all depends what you want the machine for. It will be nifty enough for smaller beds but you will find it very hard work or it won't be able to cope if the land area is larger and/or you need it to go quite deep for proper turn over. It is more of 'surface' cultivator..ideal when all you need is few inches of soil being turned into finer 'mush'.
I don't know about the brand...there is lot of these not so well know brands..some of them being better than others...personally I would be bit sceptical of what they claim of its 'cutting power'. I have one similar..though with bit of more name to it..and its tines are much more robust than those, although I can go quite deep with it..it ain't light work nor I would take it to turn over heavy soil..it would just take forever...I have bigger machine for those situations.

[steve76]

I know its not every ones cup of tea but have you tried e-bay??
 I got a old tiller of their for £80, if you do a local search you tend to find they are a bit cheaper as its pick up only,
 i found mine only 10 miles from home had it 2-3 years now and it does my large plot very well.

[gavinjconway]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a rotovator/digger. They are a bit pricey and wanted to save some cash.

Does anyone have any experience of using this machine? All the reviews are positive but I'm skeptical on the authenticity!

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/coopers-of-stortford-the-micro-light-petrol-tiller-cultivator-prodst08957i/

thanks

How big is your plot and do you really need it? Is it an allotment or home garden. It would be a good idea to introduce yourself with some info so we know where you are and whet sort of gardening you do.

Digging is by far the best method. These are light tillers and are really to be used to fluff up pre-dug soil.. If you have bad perennial weeds do not rotavate!!

[MattBristol]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. The plot is around 150 sqm. Some of it is grassy and other bits not too bad. The main problem I'm having is with the soil as it seems like a clay grey sludge and when I dig it it's a nightmare trying to break it up into anything! Just comes up in clumps. I guess the recent weather hasn't helped. Also I wanted to save some time as I will end up spending a lot of time down there just digging this clay sludge.

I might need something more heavy duty than the one in the link I put up. I have been keeping my eye on eBay but there's not been anything really suitable yet. :(

[ancellsfarmer]

This is a tool designed to sell ,not use!
A 230mm width means you will compress more soil as you follow than you disturb.
A entry -level cultivator would have at least a 3.5hp engine and ground braking machines are 6-8HP 4 stroke.
Two stroke means high revving (noisy!) and lack low-down "grunt" for grassland.
My advice,( apart from 150sq yds being only a few hours with a spade!) is
a)wait until the ground dries out (4weeks- no rain?) and if you really need it, hire a bigger machine for 1/2 day. (Locally £45 day)
b) Consider the needs of the plot.Is it compacted/poorly drained/covered in persistant or long vegetation. Remember that many problem weeds such as ground elder, bindweed,couch grass, tagel, all reproduce vegetatively and will love being thoroughly chopped and stirred into all of your soil.
c) Examine the options of spray/burn/mulch and hand digging a little at a time


With apologies to Coopers of Stortford who previously would have considered me a friend!

[gavinjconway]

Sounds like you sludge needs loads of manure to break it up... so I'm afraid a spade is the only way to go.

[goodlife]

Sounds like you sludge needs loads of manure to break it up... so I'm afraid a spade is the only way to go.

Yep..until it is drained from excess moisture..it will only clog up any machinery. I would do VERY rough spade work leaving the clumps to be..then get hold of 'good stuff' and spread it around..some of them will fall down into gaps between clumps..once the ground has dried out..then hire decent machine (if you still think it is necessary) and run the clumps over into smaller ones.
Unfortunately when your soil is as it is..there is no 'quick' remedies other than hard labour for year or two... ..and copious amounts of 'good stuff'.

[MattBristol]

so it looks like I might not be growing much this year then if I have to spread a load of muck :( wanted to get straight into it!
perhaps the soil will be better where it's grassy.

[gavinjconway]

Matt there is still loads of time to get digging and manuring... as soon as the ground dries a bit get stuck in and it wont take long. Have you got manure available? We get horse bedding with poo and it works a treat - it's all fresh stuff and i add a 4" layer then dig it in..

[goodlife]

Yes you can grow stuff...just don't try to make the soil all 'good' in one go. If the soil sticks to your boots..or on spade..then it just is too wet and it is better not to work with it yet.
Spuds don't mind if the soil is bit 'rough'..so you don't have to worry about getting it tilled fine for those. Runnerbeans..once the soil is workable prepare trench for them and get some old/new compost, manure, grass clippings etc..bit of anything and everything, and back fill the trench with the 'stuff' and the soil mix..if you grow the runner plants in pots and transplant when few inches tall, they will be able find their own way too.

Cabbages/cauli/broccoli etc. they don't mind , actually prefer more of compacted soil..so again..just rough dig for those..and 'heel' the plants in.

You 'only' need to be more thorough with less robust crops and roots..but roots don't want compost or manure around them neither.
If getting hold of 'good stuff' is not easy...get the 'big' crops in according the soil/weather conditions...and carry on working with rest of the area 'as and when..'
I would not bother trying to get 'blank canvas' the first year..unless you really want to..but get some crops in so you some rewards from the land and carry on working and preparing other areas..they will come ready then for later crops..not all are planted in spring.
NEXT YEAR..you soil is already worked over and will become much easier task to 'fine tune' ..and if you are still in mood for 'blank canvas' and rotavating , it will be much easier job.
'Good stuff'(with that I mean various dead plant matter and/or manures) can be added under crops through out the year as mulches where it will feed you crops as well as turn the soil better undernearth  .

[MattBristol]

Hi.

thanks for your advice last month (and sorry I didn't reply!).

I've not got a rotovator but I did put some weedkiller down. It's turned alll the grass yellow and killed it off which is great.

Was wondering what would happen if I did rotovate now, will weeds spread by chopping the roots eventhough they've had killer on them?

Was also wondering if I did get some manure how far a tonne would go in sqm (thats the minimum I can get delivered).

cheers!

[gavinjconway]

Dig it - dont be lazy!!

[goodlife]

Dig it - dont be lazy!!

 

Matt...if the ground is now 'clear' from live weeds after spraying it...turning it over without having to bend over for picking weeds up is going to be doddle. If the ground is gone 'solid' while its been unused..box standard rotavator is going to struggle turning it over anyway. Unless you get hold of good bit more 'heavy duty' machine, doing it with 'not so heavy one' you have to loosen the soil with fork before the machine is able to tackle the ground..by the time you've done that, fetched the machine, run the soil over few times (which in by no means light job), cleaned machine again and returned it (if borrowed/hired) you might as well get over and done with just a spade.
Only thing you need to 'fuel' the spade is few cups of tea and couple of biccies...they don't taste as nice amongst petrol fumes...

[MattBristol]

ok you've convinced me, i'll just dig it up. it's hard work but you're right the  will help :)

I guess the dead weeds can now be 'dug in' to the ground and they'll just degrade over time? no need to pull them up?

thanks

[MattBristol]

you guys ever used one of these before?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003KIY8WU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

trying my best to make this digging as pain-free as possible 

[gavinjconway]

you guys ever used one of these before?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003KIY8WU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

trying my best to make this digging as pain-free as possible 

I have one hear at home but its only good for soft soil.. works well tho.

[goodlife]

ok you've convinced me, i'll just dig it up. it's hard work but you're right the  will help :)

I guess the dead weeds can now be 'dug in' to the ground and they'll just degrade over time? no need to pull them up?

thanks

Yep..what is dead is dead and you can dig them in

[goodlife]

you guys ever used one of these before?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003KIY8WU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

trying my best to make this digging as pain-free as possible 

...that is only to 'fluff up' the surface..more of in ornamental borders...not a tool in for allotment when some serious cultivation is needed.
Digging will be almost pain free if you take care....do some warm ups before you start...don't do too much in one go and do little bit of stretching and other jobs after few rows or when you feel first little tightness coming on.. if you back is not used to digging..it will need to do some alternative movements every so often. And do some more 'warm ups' when you have finished for the day...it truly is good work out and you should treat it like gym session.

[MattBristol]

Don't think i will bother with it then. I will treat it as a workout. Need some exercise anyway!

Thanks