Prepare Your Vegetable Garden With A STIHL Tiller

It is that time of year again, time to get to work and get your vegetable garden in tip top shape for the season ahead. Knowing how and when to correctly till your garden is a skill which will reap rewards year after year. This is your ISE reminder to give yourself a head start to a better growing season and as always, we’ve got the perfect machine for you.

In this Product Of The Week we will discuss soil, three models of STIHL MH Tillers, when to till and how to till correctly.

The soil

Preparing the soil is particularly important when you are working with compacted or clay soil. When it comes to soil the aim of the game is to always ensure aeration, drainage, and water retention. In order for plants to grow and flourish they must be planted in soil which is rich in nutrients. It is also extremely important to ensure the plant roots receive an adequate water supply. Good soil also allows excess water to drain away.

Don’t be afraid to get stuck in. The best way to inspect the soil is with your hands. This method allows you can determine whether water can permeate the soil or not.

Top tip from our experts: If the soil you are working with is excessively damp or high in clay content adding some sand may help break up the soil and allow both moisture and nutrients to move throughout the soil with ease. Any amendments to the soil should be made after the tilling process.

STIHL MH Tillers

The STIHL MH 445 R Tiller has a 45cm Working width. The MH 445 R is versatile as it can work comfortably between rows of vegetables and in more confined spaces. This compact model is ideal for getting any essential soil prep done such as tilling open vegetable patches.

Specially designed blades are fitted to this STIHL tiller in order to break up the ground as effectively as possible. The two outmost tines can be easily removed to create a reduced tilling width of 28cm. The height of the brake spur can be adjusted to one of three settings to ensure the tiller continues to work in a straight line.

The MH 445 R Tiller is very easy to operate. You can use your hand or foot to activate the chassis and then simply accelerate using your thumb. The added reverse gear creates the ultimate maneuverability as you change direction with ease. An ergonomic handlebar can be adjusted to the individual. The effective anti-vibration system also relieves the user from the physical stress of vibrations, creating a more enjoyable tilling experience.

When it comes to ease of maintenance the STIHL MH 445 R can be turned over onto it’s transport wheels to allow you full access to the machine’s blades.

The STIHL MH 585 Tiller a versatile multi-purpose machine ideal for medium-sized plots of land and larger garden patches. This model uses a Series XT675 OHV SC engine and is perfect for creating new gardens and flower beds and preparing seed beds for vegetable crops. Useful storage features such as the MH 585’s folding wheels and adjustable handlebar allow for space saving storage.

Similar to the STIHL MH 445 R, the reverse gear, adjustable handlebar and anti-vibration system create ease of use and manoeuvrability as the machine navigates around obstacles. A low centre of gravity also contributes to effortless handling of the STIHL MH 585 Tiller.

Dividing the hoe set of the MH 585 will allow you to till crops positioned more closely together with greater precision. The working width is then reduced from 85cm to 60cm.

The STIHL MH 685 Tiller is fast, durable, effective and suitable for a wide range of soil and ground types. The high quality Series XT800 OHV SC petrol engine allows the machine to powerfully plough new furrows. Working width can also be reduced from 85cm to 60cm to plant crops close to one another.

The machine handling is extremely comfortable with intelligent weight distribution and anti-vibration elements between the gearbox housing and handlebar. Operating comfort is guaranteed as the height and width of the handlebar can be adjusted. The machine also runs both forwards and backwards while the brake spur ensures precision control.

A pair of wheels at the rear of the tiller can be used to transport or store the machine and are folded up during operation.

The robust design and materials used to construct this STIHL Tiller amount to a long service life for the machine.

When and how should I till my garden?

Before you learn how to till your garden, you need to know when to till a garden. Common best practice is to till a new garden in the spring when soil is dry and the weather is becoming warmer than the icy chill of winter in Ireland. The soil must be both dry enough and warm enough. Our climate would indicate that this may be as early as March so let’s get cracking!

It is important to strike a balance, some experienced gardeners will advise to wait a day after it rains so the dirt is semidry. A little moisture will make the soil easier to till. You want the soil to be dry but not too dry. Typically, the soil needs to reach a temperature of approximately 15.5°C.

Here are some interesting tips to check if your soil is dry and warm enough for tilling:

1. As we’ve already said don’t be afraid to get stuck in. Pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it in your palm. The soil is dry enough to work with If the ball falls apart when poked at.

2. If it is a little difficult to push a trowel into the soil or the soil feels dry to touch it is ready to work with.

3. Stick your finger a few inches into the soil and try hold it there for about a minute. If you can do this with comfort the soil should be warm enough.

Follow our tips below to learn how to till your garden correctly:

1. Identify your chosen area to till.

2. Remove any rocks, sticks or other debris. Pull up any thick weeds, the machine will chop up any smaller weeds.

3. Set the tiller depth to suit the soil type you are working with. Use a shallow setting to start on hard, compacted soil. For softer ground, start at a medium setting.

4. Go across the soil in rows as through you are mowing grass.

5. Be sure to take your time.

6. Once you have tilled the entire area you then need to adjust the tiller to its deepest setting and begin making perpendicular passes.

7. Remember excessive tilling can compact the soil rather than break it up.

Top Tip From Our Experts: In the spring time it is important to remove sod before tilling as tilling sod into the grass this time of year may cause the grass to reappear once the temperatures heat up.

A word from the ISE Team

Here at ISE Forest and Garden we care about the safety of each and every one of our customers. We ask our customers to always be aware of the safety features of your STIHL MH Tillers. As always, the team here at ISE Forest and Garden are here to help.

Click here for more information on our range of STIHL MH Tillers.

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