How to Choose a Garden Tiller for Your Plot

A tiller is a significant purchase, and buying the wrong size is the most common mistake. The right tiller matches your plot size and soil type, not your ambitions for a bigger garden someday.

Tillers break up compacted soil and mix in amendments, but they range from small cultivators to heavy rear-tine machines. Matching the machine to the job prevents frustration.

• Front-tine tillers suit small, established plots
• Rear-tine tillers handle tough, compacted soil
• Electric cultivators work for light, small beds
• Renting makes sense for one-time preparation