Down To Earth: I Need A Smaller Rototiller

THE U-Pick GARDEN will be closing August 20th. This will be the last year the garden will be open to the public. Next year I'll be operating as a CSA, supplying about 20 regular customers with weekly boxes. Thank you for your support over the last 8 years, but it's time to try something new.

To get a copy of my book, "How To Grow Vegetables In Sitka, Alaska" just give me a call....The books are $20 plus tax. If you live out of town and want me to mail you a copy, you can mail a check for $25.60 to:

Lori Adams

P O Box 6021

Sitka, Alaska

99835

Down To Earth U-Pick Garden is located at 2103 Sawmill Creek Road in Sitka, Alaska. It is open usually from mid-June through late August. Hours are Monday-Saturday 12:00 to 6:30. On Farmer's Market Saturdays I am not open until 2:00. Children are welcome but may not run through the garden or chase the ducks. If you have any questions you can contact me, Lori Adams, at 907-747-6108 or 907-738-2241. My email address is downtoearthupick@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

I Need A Smaller Rototiller

Meet "The Beast"...

I'm not sure if I drive it, or if it drives me! It's obvious I struggle a bit to control it....look at my footprints in the dirt!

As my beds get higher and loftier I'm finding that the rototiller I have is too big for them. I'm thinking this winter I should by a smaller one too. I know one thing....I didn't till this Spring and it's one of the biggest mistakes I've made gardening.....for two reasons:

1. The ducks don't work their beaks down far enough in untilled soil to get all the critters. This Spring after I planted my starts and seeds, and covered up the rows with row cover, the seedlings started disappearing. Even though the ducks had access to every bed all Fall, Winter and Spring, they did not get all the critters.
2 Over the years I had gotten the HorseTail under control. But after not tilling this Spring the HorseTail just expoded!!!

Lesson learned......Note to self: Till every bed every Spring and Fall.