Question: I want to rototill before mulching. How do I prepare gardens for rototilling?
Rototilling isn't like mowing (for which I'm glad!): you don't do it very often. For this reason, some may prefer to use a rental than to own. And using small rototillers (where feasible) also makes the job easier. But here's a step to take prior to rototilling....
Answer: It's a good idea to rototill gardens in fall before mulching. But there is a step you can take prior to rototilling, to ensure you get the most out of your rototilling efforts.
If you have your soil tested, you might find that the pH needs to be corrected. If your soil needs lime, this is the time to spread it on and use the rototiller to till it under. The benefits of lime are slow to manifest themselves, so don't wait until spring. Rototilling the lime into the soil in fall will yield benefits in next year's garden.
For small spaces, small rototillers (also called "garden cultivators") are best.
