Work on allotments and vegetables gardens is proceeding apace at this time of the year.
And if you haven’t turned over the soil by now you need to get cracking.
For land to be planted you need to dig it over thoroughly now and to incorporate compost or fertilizer.
A neat little tiller which can make to job much easier. Run the tiller over, and don’t be afraid to go over the same ground twice of you have heavier ground to break it down.
Scatter compost or fertilizers over the surface and then till again.
If you’re looking for a tiller for home or allotment have a look at this one, the Earthquake MC43R Petrol Mini-Tiller.
With a 43 cc Viper engine and high-torque gearing this will easily break up heavy soils and has a tilling width which can be adjusted between 15 cm and 25 cm so you can work between the rows once the seeds germinate to keep the weeds down.
It weighs 14 kg and along with the wheels it makes it easier to move around the allotment or garden.
You can also buy a lawn edger kit for £29 and a dethatcher kit for £99. It costs £219 and has a two year warranty and free next working day delivery.
So now you got the soil dug over, rake it then lightly tread it down and rake again. Now you’re ready to sow.
Run a line across plot and draw the drills with the back of a hoe and sow the seed as directed on the packet.
Scatter the seed thinly as at this time of the year they will germinate readily and you will save time thinning later on.
If sowing lettuce remember that the thinnings will make excellent salads leaves on their own.
And now is a great time to plant potatoes. If you’ve never eaten freshly dug potatoes from your own garden try planting your own this year and you’ll never buy another supermarket bag again.
Once the soil has been tilled dig a trench between three and five inches deep and scatter fertilizer or compost in the trench.
Plant early seed potatoes about a foot apart and main crop about 15 in apart. Once the leaves start to show above the ground they should be mounded up to guard against frost.
Don’t worry if late frosts nip a few odd leaves they will grow again but the crop will be a little later and the yield will be affected.
And above all, keep the tiller working between the rows, it will help moisture levelsand keep the crops healthy.
A great little general tiller is the Mountfield Manor Compact 36 Cultivator.
Coming from a trusted manufacturing company and costing £249, £30 less than the maker’s recommended price, this one has four 24.5 cm rotors driven by a belt which is easily replaced should you hit something solid – the belt will break but it shouldn’t damage the engine.
With a 36 cm width it is easily worked around the plots and can also be useful tilling in shrubberies.
As an added bonus there is a 10-litre jerry can worth £24.95 which you receive completely free.
Free delivery and a one year maker’s warranty make this a great but at just £249.
We have a huge range of tillers on our site and you can always ring us on 020 3026 8712020 3026 8712 if you need further help chosing.