14
OPERATION
•
When cultivating (breaking up surface soil around plants to destroy weeds,
see Figure 18), Adjust the tines to dig only 1” to 2” deep. Using shallow tilling
depths helps prevent injury to the plants whose roots often grow close to the
surface. If needed, lift up on the handlebars slightly to prevent the tines from
digging too deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis not only eliminates weeds, it
also loosens and aerates the soil for better moisture absorption and faster plant
growth.) Watering the garden area a few days prior to tilling will make tilling
easier, as will letting the newly worked soil set for a day or two before making a
final, deep tilling pass.
Figure 18
Suggested Tilling Patterns
•
When preparing a seedbed, go over the same path twice in the first row,
then overlap one-half the tiller width on the rest of the passes. See Figure 19.
Figure 19
•
When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle, as
shown in Figure 20. Overlap each pass for best results (in very hard ground, it
may take three or four passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil.)
Figure 20
•
If the garden size will not permit lengthwise and then crosswise tilling, overlap the
first passes by one-half a tiller width, followed by successive passes at one-quarter
width. See Figure 21.
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2
3
Figure 21
Summary of Contents for CMXGVAM1144036
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