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Looking For The Best Garden Tiller For Your Needs: Knowing Your Options
Garden tillers are one of the most important things which a gardener should have. Moreover, it becomes an absolute must if you own a large lawn or garden and if you’re trying to start your landscaping or gardening venture from scratch with all the dirt, weeds, rocks and all other obstacles scattered around the place.
In this article, we’ll be providing you with your options on the best garden tiller available today and a few tips and pointers regarding tilling your garden or lawn.
Rank | Product Name | Image | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Earthwise Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator |  |
97
/
100
| |
2 |  |
92
/
100
| ||
3 |  |
90
/
100
| ||
4 |  |
83
/
100
| ||
5 |  |
80
/
100
|
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Looking For The Best Garden Tiller For Your Needs: Knowing Your Options
Questions To Ask When Buying A Garden Tiller
Just like buying any item in the market, if you want choose the best options you’ll need to ask the right questions. This is the same with buying the right garden tiller that suits your needs. You’ll need to be mindful of these important questions as well.
1. What Is The Otal Area Of The Garden To Be Tilled?
Gardeners as well as the gardening enthusiasts today can choose between a wide arrays of tillers in the market that vary according to power output. Prior to buying a tiller with a good power, it is important that the user knows where to use that specific tiller and how much area is there to till.
When trying to till just a small portion of land, there will be no need to purchase a high-powered garden tiller. On the other hand, you don’t want to work with a low-powered tiller which can’t finish the job or just can’t perform very well with a large lot.
However, if you often till the ground then you could probably opt for the tiller that has more power for extended use.
2. What Kind Of Soil Do You Have In Your Garden?
Basically there will be 2 types of soil you can have in your garden – one will be a soft and loamy soil that is best for planting and farming and the other is the stony or clay soil which may not be the best setting for gardening.
In case you’ll be dealing with the tough clay soil, you’ll need a tiller that packs a punch as these types of soil are hard to break down.
3. Is Your Garden New Or Old?
Old gardens have hard soil and may call for heavy maintenance which could require high-powered tillers to soften the soil that has previously been used for gardening. A new garden on the other hand will require simply minor maintenance and would just require light tilling of the soil.
4. Does Your Tiller Offer Flexibility?
Tillers are definitely the best equipment when dealing with tiling jobs. But they can also do other tasks aside from tilling soil. Some farmers, landscapers, gardeners and the likes use their tiller to do other tasks by simply adding attachments or components into the equipment.
If you’re looking for a reliable tiller then you need to make sure it is also flexible to do other tasks. Check out of your tiller has the option to add attachments or other components for flexibility.
5. How Much Are You Willing To Spend For Your Tiller?
Probably the one thing that always crosses anyone’s mind when it comes to purchasing anything – the budget. Just like any other equipment which offers various features, sizes, types and others, the tiller can also come in a range of prices. While you can purchase the best tiller with a good amount of cash, it may be too much to serve medium requirements.
So in order to get the most out of your money, only go for the option that meets your requirements. Overspending for sleek tiller might be unnecessary.
Tips On How You Can Effectively Till Your Garden
Tilling your garden or lawn is not as easy as it sounds. Without the right process you’ll end up growing weeds even more or even destroying the aesthetics of the garden as well as the health of the soil. So if you want to make sure you’re doing the right thing when it comes to tilling the garden, be sure to follow these tips.
- Mow Every Plant On The Ground Before You Start To Till - Having to do so will lighten the tiller’s work load thus can last longer. In addition, pulling out or raking out the plants will help pull out the roots which is usually the cause of tangles in the tines of tillers
- Pull Out Tough Weeds By Hand - There are a number of weeds that are hard to eliminate just by simply cutting them from the stem. You’ll need to get your hands dirty and pull them out to the roots to effective disable their reproduction.
- Do Not Till On Dry Or Wet Soils - Don’t rush in on tilling those wet or very dry soils. This will only make your task more difficult and can damage your tools or equipment. For wet soils, simply wait before it becomes moist and as for dry soils you can simply splash water on its surface to till right away.
- Don’t Till Very Deep In Between Rows - Tilling deeply into the ground will cause root damage on the plants and can even activate weed seeds that are buried deep within.
- Maintain Your Machine - Tillers need to be maintained after every use. Just like any other machines, it can just stop working if given a poor upkeep. Always make sure to change oil when oil levels become dark.
Top Choices Of The Best Garden Tiller
While it is not always possible to convince people on what tiller to buy, you can always refer to trusted and reliable recommendations from reviewers over the internet. For the top tillers available on the market today, we’ve came up with those with the best features, price as well as with the most positive reviews.
Feel free to check them out along with the websites where to make the purchase.
1. Earthwise Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator
https://www.amazon.com/Earthwise-11-Inch-Electric-Cultivator-TC70001/dp/B004H4X6Z6/
The Earthwise 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a light tilling equipment that is also right on the budget. Although lightweight, the Earthwise 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator packs a punch which can be compared to the more expensive competitions.
This electric cultivator makes of 120 volts of power with 60 Hz and 8.5 Amperes. It has a wide 11” cutting width and 8.5” cutting depth which makes it effective in tilling large areas in short period of time. It also features a dual 4 blade steel tines with wheels that folds out easily for easy moving.
PROS
- Compared to other tillers, it is lightweight and inexpensive which makes it great for tilling jobs in small lawns or gardens or in tight spots
- Small frame and light weight enables for easy storage and comfortable handling through the ergonomic handle
CONS
- Since the tiller is a bit lighter than the conventional tiller, it has the tendency to bounce and buckle
- Cord should be handled with extra care as it gets damaged easily
- Needs to be assembled from the box which not many are very familiar of despite the manual that comes along with the package
2. Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller Cultivator
https://www.amazon.com/Mantis-2-Cycle-Tiller-Cultivator-7920/dp/B00N6X9URC/
The Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller Cultivator 7920 is an Ultra-Lightweight, Compact, Robust and a more durable choice of tiller cultivator. It features a 2-cycle engine which is more than enough power to deal with those annoying weeds that have roots planted deep within the garden soil.
The Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller Cultivator 7920 is also designed with an ergonomic handle for comfort and better grip when moving through around the field or garden. Amazingly, the Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller Cultivator has a durable set of blades which digs 10 inches deep into the ground which other cultivator or tiller machines aren’t able to.
Thus with the deeper depth in tilling or cultivating, the seeds as well as the roots of the weeds are mercilessly put out of commission.
PROS
- Easy push button start option
- Durable construction materials makes the equipment last for a long time even from continued use
- Depth of 10 inches from the ground can totally eliminate weeds down to its roots
CONS
- With the blades digging deep into the ground, roots may get tangled in it requiring frequent cleaning
3. VonHaus Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator
https://www.amazon.com/VonHaus-Electric-Garden-Tiller-Cultivator/dp/B01ANXFH10/
The VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator features sturdy and durable steel tines that are designed to last under all types of soil conditions. It also has razor sharp blades that mercilessly plow through hard soil as well as lump of weeds without breaking a sweat.
This specific model can also deal with weeds down to its deepest roots seeing as it can till the soil at a depth of 8.6 inches from the ground. The VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator also showcases an ergonomic handle that are spaced just right for effortless tilling and cultivating and for easy maneuverability specially for corners in a lot.
If you’re into looking for a tiller or a cultivator that can dig deep and at the same time cover a big area in a small span of time then the VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator can be your best option. With a powerful 850 W motor, the VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator plows with might and speed.
PROS
- The VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator is designed to be lightweight for ease of use and so it can be moved around quickly
- Operators can quickly stop the motor through the safety off switch to avert damages or accidents
- 850W of power is more than enough to deliver a complete and thorough tilling job in a garden or lawn
CONS
- Although razor sharp, the blades may not be recommended to break all sorts of obstacles or materials such as rocks or hard lumps of soils
- Flimsy wheel bar which can easily break from constant use
4. GardenTrax 4 Cycle Mini Cultivator
https://www.amazon.com/GardenTrax-4-Cycle-Mini-Cultivator/dp/B01C1YXC98/
The GardenTrax 4 Cycle Mini Cultivator is a mechanized cultivator and tiller is all about easy control of the spinning tines. It features a top handle that allows for better control and maneuverability in tilling and cultivating those tough soils.
Designed with durability in mind this tiller is the innovative tiller having forged steel tines that offer longer lasting performance even from day to day use. With the aim to provide an efficient as well as powerful cultivator or tiller, the makers designed the machine to be more flexible and accessible to parts and components which would make various sorts of gardening tasks easier.
PROS
- Ultra-fast rotating blade tiller which revolves around 250 RPMS for fast and powerful tilling and cultivating
- Durable steel tines makes it able to till and plow through anything in the field
- Less worries of oil mixing with gas because it runs with a robust 4-cycle engine
CONS
- Almost everything aside from the tines, handle and engine are made of plastic which may not be as durable as its other counterparts
5. Husqvarna Adjustable Width Front Tine Tiller
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-FT900-CA-Adjustable-Width-Tiller/dp/B00H1U1VZA/
The Husqvarna FT900-CA Adjustable Width Front Tine Tiller could be the tiller you need if you’re looking for one that has power and can get the job done neatly! This particular model of the Husqvarna tiller series makes use of a Briggs and Stratton engine which delivers more than enough power to work through with ease at tough soil conditions.
Of course seeing as this model is gas powered, it should require a diligent upkeep as it is more prone to wear and tear as compared to its electric variants. The good part is that there are no cords or wires to worry about when working in the field. This provides better mobility and lesser risk for accidents.
PROS
- Since it is gasoline powered, the equipment can cover wide areas with ease and can be transported easily
- Works effectively in tilling hard soils due to heavy-duty design
- Increased maneuverability through the reverse drive feature and can dig deeper to the ground through the adjustable depth bar settings
CONS
- Bulky size makes it a problem to store in tight spaces
- Seeing as it’s a gas-powered tiller, it requires more upkeep and maintenance
- Expensive as a regular tiller with basic features
Conclusion
As a final thought on which one of these listed models is the suggested garden tiller, I would go for the Earthwise Corded Electric Tiller. Since I prefer my garden tiller to be of top quality and one that is cheap and more importantly, one that has positive reviews from previous purchasers I will undoubtable nominate the tiller from Earthwise.
If you think the Earthwise 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller isn’t the best choice feel free to let us know. We have a comment box below where you can reach us anytime.
About the Author Emily Taylor
My name is Emily Taylor, gardening is my passion and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone. I know that there are millions of people out there want their backyard and garden be attractive just like their front yard, so I am here to help you create your own backyard paradise.