The annoying thing about a farm – even a small one – is that it doesn’t know or care if you’ve got a book to finish. When spring comes around, the spring-time planting and weeding has to be done, period. So in addition to drawing for several hours per day, Chareva has been preparing raised beds and planting vegetables.
On the weeding front, she at least had help from the girls. The previous owner extended the driveway somewhat with paving stones. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time, but poison ivy grows up around the paving stones every spring. The whole thing becomes a poison-ivy patch by mid-summer.
Chareva is determined to get rid of the stuff by ripping up the ground and planting grass. Her hired hands spent part of the weekend pulling up the paving stones and stacking them. Good outdoor exercise for the rugrats.
I’ll take on the task of ripping up the ground because … wait for it … I have a tiller now.
Yeah, I know: life doesn’t get more exciting than that. Back in the day, I dreamed of owning all kinds of cool toys. There were no farm implements on that wish-list. Now Chareva suggests we buy something like a tiller, and I think, A tiller?! Wow, that would be awesome!
We bought a Countyline model at our local Tractor Supply. Since I’ve become intimately familiar with Tennessee soil, with all the rocks and clay and tough roots, I chose a bigger model than the one Chareva researched online. I wanted the extra horsepower.
Now that I’m a born-again Tool Man, I no longer consider some assembly required to be the scariest three words in the English language. But I did have the usual complaint when I started putting the thing together: the manual was apparently written by engineers who think everyone else is an engineer. To name just one example, the manual instructed me to secure a plate with “four M-8 bolts and locking nuts.” So I opened the bag containing all the nuts and bolts and looked for “M-8” stamped on something.
Nope. Some of the bolts had numbers stamped on them, but there wasn’t an “M-8” to be found on anything. (I’m sure the engineer who wrote the manual would reply, “What kind of moron doesn’t know what an M-8 bolt is?!”) So I ended up doing what I often have to do when faced with clear-as-mud manuals: figure it out by counting.
Let’s see, add up the number of M-8 bolts in all the assembly steps … it’s six total. Now separate the nuts and bolts by size … yup, there are six of these and four of the other size, so these have to be the M-8 bolts.
Heaven forbid I do that someday and find equal numbers of different-sized bolts. Anyway, I got the thing put together on Saturday afternoon.
I took it out for a test drive on Sunday. We plan to grow our own tiger nuts in at least half of the abandoned chicken yard in the front pasture. I had to clear a jungle out of that yard with The Beast last fall. Now it was time to till the soil.
Any worries I had about cheating myself out of exercise by using a tiller disappeared right away. With all the rocks and tough roots in the soil, the tiller bucked like a rodeo bronco. I had to hold on for dear life and man-handle it along a straight (more or less) path. Sometimes the thing wanted to bounce right over a tough patch, and I’d have to drag it back and hold it still so it would dig in.
But it did dig in. And I have to say, I’m impressed with how tough those blades are. Again, this is Tennessee, where the state song is Rocky Top for good reason. Here’s what you find when you dig up the soil:
I checked the blades after my first pass through the yard and didn’t find so much as a dent. After a brief rest, I fired up the tiller again and made a second pass. With the roots and hard topsoil already broken up, the tiller mostly glided right along. It felt a bit like wading through waves of dirt. Here’s the chicken yard afterwards.
And here it is from a different angle.
Now I just have to plant those tiger nuts. I’m told they grow like weeds, so with any luck, there won’t be much work involved after planting.
Meanwhile, Chareva is spotting all kinds of patches around the land that could use a good tilling.
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Does it grow like a weed? From Wiki:
C.esculentus is extremely difficult to remove completely once established
That’s the story of my garden. It
has taken me 10 years to finally
remove it from my planters at home.
I’m not looking at it for a food source.
You should have no trouble with it,
since it will die back in winter. It don’t
get cold enough to stop it here on
the coast of CA.
Since I like tiger nuts, “grows like weeds” appeals to me.
When a child I had the job of tilling the garden c. 1958.
Tillers have not changed since then. They all buck and heave and try to drag you screaming across the impermeable top soil. The machines also come with a bar that you insert vertically just in front of the wheels.
Actually, with the wheels removed and the bar protruding a few inches into the surface, I dare say you could rototill the Hoover Dam!
This machine is symbolic of what modern technology has gifted us. Till on.
Geoff
I already noticed the wheels are really only useful for getting to the tilling location.
re: c. 1958. Tillers have not changed since then.
Actually, they have. We have a 1960s Lawn King, and it has no safety features whatsoever. If you let go of it, it will march destructively through everything in its path, until it runs out of gas.
I expect that more recent tillers at least have clutch or engine-kill levers.
We also have a Mantis compact tiller, which is much safer, in part because it no longer stays running for more than a few seconds (despite authorized service), which I understand is a common and largely unsolvable problem for the brand, in case anyone was contemplating one.
If you let go of the handle on ours, it stops.
Using any kitchen waste for compost?
http://compostguide.com/compost-materials/
Yup, Chareva composts everything that can be composted. We don’t subscribe to a garbage-pickup service, so it also saves on lugging bags to the country dump and recycle center.
Does it grow like a weed? From Wiki:
C.esculentus is extremely difficult to remove completely once established
That’s the story of my garden. It
has taken me 10 years to finally
remove it from my planters at home.
I’m not looking at it for a food source.
You should have no trouble with it,
since it will die back in winter. It don’t
get cold enough to stop it here on
the coast of CA.
Since I like tiger nuts, “grows like weeds” appeals to me.
When a child I had the job of tilling the garden c. 1958.
Tillers have not changed since then. They all buck and heave and try to drag you screaming across the impermeable top soil. The machines also come with a bar that you insert vertically just in front of the wheels.
Actually, with the wheels removed and the bar protruding a few inches into the surface, I dare say you could rototill the Hoover Dam!
This machine is symbolic of what modern technology has gifted us. Till on.
Geoff
I already noticed the wheels are really only useful for getting to the tilling location.
re: c. 1958. Tillers have not changed since then.
Actually, they have. We have a 1960s Lawn King, and it has no safety features whatsoever. If you let go of it, it will march destructively through everything in its path, until it runs out of gas.
I expect that more recent tillers at least have clutch or engine-kill levers.
We also have a Mantis compact tiller, which is much safer, in part because it no longer stays running for more than a few seconds (despite authorized service), which I understand is a common and largely unsolvable problem for the brand, in case anyone was contemplating one.
If you let go of the handle on ours, it stops.
Using any kitchen waste for compost?
http://compostguide.com/compost-materials/
Yup, Chareva composts everything that can be composted. We don’t subscribe to a garbage-pickup service, so it also saves on lugging bags to the country dump and recycle center.
Your soil looks much like ours does with the stones. But we mostly got rubble from the americans who had a housing area in my village before it got converted. We also got a lot gun shells and some metal fittings from train tracks.
Man, I hate weeding. I spent so much time with weeds in autumn. Now in spring it looks so bad. Everything is green just from the weeds.
Some weeds like couch grass (funny english name) love being tilled. Then they grow from each piece.
Train tracks?
Your soil looks much like ours does with the stones. But we mostly got rubble from the americans who had a housing area in my village before it got converted. We also got a lot gun shells and some metal fittings from train tracks.
Man, I hate weeding. I spent so much time with weeds in autumn. Now in spring it looks so bad. Everything is green just from the weeds.
Some weeds like couch grass (funny english name) love being tilled. Then they grow from each piece.
Train tracks?
Hey Tom…been awhile since I’ve posted anything here, glad to see you and yours are doing well, and congrats on finishing the book.
My only comment on tillers is after years of using the “front-tine” tillers in Mass, which also grows a major rock crop every spring, I happened upon a “rear-tine” tiller.
I’d never buy anything else. As you’ve said, the front tines force you to hold on, drag back, hang on, etc. The rear-tine style is much smoother and much easier on the body. About the only thing you need to do is lean down on the handle bars at times when you encounter extra hard dirt, as the tines might start to rise up a bit.
Overall, a MUCH more pleasant experience. They cost more, but are worth every penny. I’d keep an eye out on Craig’s list…might pick one up cheap.
I’ve also been reading the IF diet book. Very interesting reading.
Enjoy,
Jim
I appreciate the tip. Today (Tuesday) is the first day my hands don’t feel swollen.
Are you not into mulching with woodchips or leaves, “Back to Eden” style?
Chareva does some of that, yes.
The compactness of front tine tillers are great for established beds, and you probably did the right thing in buying one. But, for breaking up undisturbed, compacted ground, a big rear tine tiller is far better suited to the task. In the future, you might consider renting a rear tine tiller for the few times when you need to create new beds.
A John Deere series 2 is on my wish-list for all kinds of reasons. But first I need a place to store it.
Uhm — I hope this doesn’t happen to you, but when I was a girl in Oregon my folks acquired a tiller (they were very Rodale Institute) and set out to tame the back 40 — well, the back part of their 3/4 acre lot. That first summer they made the horrible discovery that if you rototill some kinds of grass, all those little bits and joints that you till into the ground sprout roots and grow. Mom pulled grass out of her garden all summer long. After that, they always pulled up the grass before they used the tiller.
Best of luck with the garden, and have fun with your new toy!
I’ll be fine with it if the grass grows, but not those @#$%ing briar patches.
Hey Tom…been awhile since I’ve posted anything here, glad to see you and yours are doing well, and congrats on finishing the book.
My only comment on tillers is after years of using the “front-tine” tillers in Mass, which also grows a major rock crop every spring, I happened upon a “rear-tine” tiller.
I’d never buy anything else. As you’ve said, the front tines force you to hold on, drag back, hang on, etc. The rear-tine style is much smoother and much easier on the body. About the only thing you need to do is lean down on the handle bars at times when you encounter extra hard dirt, as the tines might start to rise up a bit.
Overall, a MUCH more pleasant experience. They cost more, but are worth every penny. I’d keep an eye out on Craig’s list…might pick one up cheap.
I’ve also been reading the IF diet book. Very interesting reading.
Enjoy,
Jim
I appreciate the tip. Today (Tuesday) is the first day my hands don’t feel swollen.
Are you not into mulching with woodchips or leaves, “Back to Eden” style?
Chareva does some of that, yes.
The compactness of front tine tillers are great for established beds, and you probably did the right thing in buying one. But, for breaking up undisturbed, compacted ground, a big rear tine tiller is far better suited to the task. In the future, you might consider renting a rear tine tiller for the few times when you need to create new beds.
A John Deere series 2 is on my wish-list for all kinds of reasons. But first I need a place to store it.
Uhm — I hope this doesn’t happen to you, but when I was a girl in Oregon my folks acquired a tiller (they were very Rodale Institute) and set out to tame the back 40 — well, the back part of their 3/4 acre lot. That first summer they made the horrible discovery that if you rototill some kinds of grass, all those little bits and joints that you till into the ground sprout roots and grow. Mom pulled grass out of her garden all summer long. After that, they always pulled up the grass before they used the tiller.
Best of luck with the garden, and have fun with your new toy!
I’ll be fine with it if the grass grows, but not those @#$%ing briar patches.
Will there be hog-surfing again this year? I think the Olympics looking for non-water versions of water sports (due to pollution) and you could have a shot at a medal.
Even though I believe I perfected my hog-surfing moves last year, I won’t be repeating them this year. With the book due soon and the companion film to come next, we decided this isn’t a good year to take on a new farm-animal project.
Will there be hog-surfing again this year? I think the Olympics looking for non-water versions of water sports (due to pollution) and you could have a shot at a medal.
Even though I believe I perfected my hog-surfing moves last year, I won’t be repeating them this year. With the book due soon and the companion film to come next, we decided this isn’t a good year to take on a new farm-animal project.
M8 bolt = Metric threads, 8 mm diameter. Yes, I’m an engineer.
So they wrote that manual for you.
No, they wrote the manual in a country that’s been metric too long (China, I suspect). They had no clue that most Americans are not yet conversant in metric fastener sizes. They were also sloppy with the part description.
The converse of this situation is, for example, exporting farm machinery to China (which is done), and having the manual call for a “5/16 bolt”. I have written such manuals, and made a point of specifying the full exact SAE call size, and the company part number, like:
Bolt, 5/16-18×1¼_inch (123-456X)
This still only helps close the culture gap a bit.
In the category of too-late-tip, I also make a practice of never buying a device that costs more than $50 without first downloading the manual, in part to avoid surprises, but also to vet the vendor’s support model.
No download?
No sale.
Downloading the manual first is a fine idea. I’m also more likely to buy a product if the manufacturer posts videos showing exactly what the product does and how to use it.
M8 bolt = Metric threads, 8 mm diameter. Yes, I’m an engineer.
So they wrote that manual for you.
No, they wrote the manual in a country that’s been metric too long (China, I suspect). They had no clue that most Americans are not yet conversant in metric fastener sizes. They were also sloppy with the part description.
The converse of this situation is, for example, exporting farm machinery to China (which is done), and having the manual call for a “5/16 bolt”. I have written such manuals, and made a point of specifying the full exact SAE call size, and the company part number, like:
Bolt, 5/16-18×1¼_inch (123-456X)
This still only helps close the culture gap a bit.
In the category of too-late-tip, I also make a practice of never buying a device that costs more than $50 without first downloading the manual, in part to avoid surprises, but also to vet the vendor’s support model.
No download?
No sale.
Downloading the manual first is a fine idea. I’m also more likely to buy a product if the manufacturer posts videos showing exactly what the product does and how to use it.
I grew up on a farm in Hickman County TN for 18 years before moving to a city, so your farming reports and trial/errors are a hoot. Thank you for making them! I formally apologize on behalf of TN topsoil, it has a bit of a rocky relationship with everyone.
I expect no apology from the soil as long as Chareva’s garden keeps growing.
I grew up on a farm in Hickman County TN for 18 years before moving to a city, so your farming reports and trial/errors are a hoot. Thank you for making them! I formally apologize on behalf of TN topsoil, it has a bit of a rocky relationship with everyone.
I expect no apology from the soil as long as Chareva’s garden keeps growing.
This brings back memories from my childhood. When I was a young girl, after my parents had tilled the ground, it was my job to pick up any rocks or roots. Roots were dried and burned and the ashes added to the compost and rocks went into buckets and were later used as a base layer for raised beds and large planters. I too lived in Tennessee at the time.
If you were in Tennessee, you must have had plenty of rocks for that base layer.
There were quite a few, but fewer and fewer every year as we tilled the same spot each time. We had dense woods on two sides of our 1 acre property, so what I picked up most often were roots from some mystery plant that came back every year. That or the roots somehow migrated the twenty or so feet from the treeline.
This brings back memories from my childhood. When I was a young girl, after my parents had tilled the ground, it was my job to pick up any rocks or roots. Roots were dried and burned and the ashes added to the compost and rocks went into buckets and were later used as a base layer for raised beds and large planters. I too lived in Tennessee at the time.
If you were in Tennessee, you must have had plenty of rocks for that base layer.
There were quite a few, but fewer and fewer every year as we tilled the same spot each time. We had dense woods on two sides of our 1 acre property, so what I picked up most often were roots from some mystery plant that came back every year. That or the roots somehow migrated the twenty or so feet from the treeline.
If, at some point in the future you break/wear out that tiller or it does the same for you, next time get a rear-tine machine with reverse tines. Much easier, IMO. I need to get out and do the same thing to my garden too.
I appreciate the tip.
If, at some point in the future you break/wear out that tiller or it does the same for you, next time get a rear-tine machine with reverse tines. Much easier, IMO. I need to get out and do the same thing to my garden too.
I appreciate the tip.
The minimization of front tine tillers are incredible for built up beds, and you presumably made the best choice in purchasing one. In any case, for separating undisturbed, compacted ground, a major back tine tiller is obviously better suited to the errand. Later on, you should seriously mull over leasing a back tine tiller for the few times when you have to make new beds.
The minimization of front tine tillers are incredible for built up beds, and you presumably made the best choice in purchasing one. In any case, for separating undisturbed, compacted ground, a major back tine tiller is obviously better suited to the errand. Later on, you should seriously mull over leasing a back tine tiller for the few times when you have to make new beds.
You could make your own methane for cooking fuel using grass cuttings and manure, then use the spent slurry as fertilizer. There’s tons of plans online for it, but I have an ancient paperback, the Mother Earth News Book of Homemade Power, that details several methods. From what I gather, chicken guano makes the BEST fertilizer. Once anerobically digested, the slurry is magnificently rich in nitrogen.
I got some Tiger Nuts a while back to try them out. I didn’t care for them, though others seem to love them. They’re so fibrous I thought I was chewing balsa wood, and they didn’t taste like much more than a slightly soft tree root. I hope your experience with them is better than mine.
The areas where our chickens lived is certainly well-fertilized. Amazingly lush once the chickens leave.
Yeah, some people love tiger and nuts and some can’t stand the texture. I happen to like them, so I figure I may as well try to grown them.
You could make your own methane for cooking fuel using grass cuttings and manure, then use the spent slurry as fertilizer. There’s tons of plans online for it, but I have an ancient paperback, the Mother Earth News Book of Homemade Power, that details several methods. From what I gather, chicken guano makes the BEST fertilizer. Once anerobically digested, the slurry is magnificently rich in nitrogen.
I got some Tiger Nuts a while back to try them out. I didn’t care for them, though others seem to love them. They’re so fibrous I thought I was chewing balsa wood, and they didn’t taste like much more than a slightly soft tree root. I hope your experience with them is better than mine.
The areas where our chickens lived is certainly well-fertilized. Amazingly lush once the chickens leave.
Yeah, some people love tiger and nuts and some can’t stand the texture. I happen to like them, so I figure I may as well try to grown them.