When most people hear the words “digging in manure” they think of a backhoe and a dump bucket, or someone in a black work suit exerting force on a massive, muddy area. The fact is that there are many other landscaping tools available to gardeners to make the job a little easier. You do not need to dig in manure to plant your veggies, plants like this grow in the soil naturally and they can be easily nurtured with little effort. In fact, it is better for the soil than soil that has been tilled, because the first step in any kind of organic gardening process is to break up the soil and add adequate nutrients.
If you are not one hundred percent sure what you need to dig in your manure pile, take a few moments to consult your local county clerk’s office. Many counties have local programs that will help you with your digging if you give them a list of what you need. Even if you do not qualify for their program, there are still plenty of landscaping tools that will help you accomplish your goals, and some of them may even be free.
A spade is an excellent tool for breaking up your soil. These landscaping tools come in both hand operated and motorized varieties, so there is no need to use force to move the soil. Just flip the lever and move the spade in either direction to move the soil. There are also rake types of tools that you can purchase for even more control and ease of use. Just be sure to look for landscaping rake that is built to last and will not be damaged by the sun or rain.
If you have a large field where you need to plant hundreds of beds, then consider the use of a tiller. These tools can be used to quickly turn the topsoil to the depth of the bed you want. There are also shovels designed specifically to be used for turning field dirt to a pile for prompt composting.
Fertilizer is one of the most popular tools to have around when working in the garden. You can purchase fertilizers that are specially designed for warm season plants or those that are specific for the cold seasons. Some people prefer to make their own natural fertilizer by adding compost to the soil or applying animal waste products to the soil to increase the nutrients that it holds. However, there are commercial fertilizers on the market as well, and many people choose to use these in their gardens for the most benefit. When choosing a fertilizer for your landscape, be sure to choose one that is made with natural ingredients and that will not harm your plants.
A rototiller is a handy tool to have in your backyard. These tools turn the soil in your garden in a vertical motion. This can greatly improve the speed in which you will harvest your vegetables or fruits. Be sure that the soil you choose to grow your crops in is not heavy or too compacted, as this will prevent the rototiller from being effective. These tools can be purchased at most garden stores.
A trowel is an excellent tool to have if you want to prepare the soil properly for future plantings. Before utilizing these tools, however, be sure that you have prepared the soil correctly with compost. Most gardeners have problems with the quality of their soil because they do not take the time to properly prepare it. Adding compost to the soil before you trowel it will add the necessary nutrients to the soil that the tools will then break up and spread over the planting area. Using the wrong combination of these tools can actually cause the quality of the soil to be subpar, which will affect the growth of the plants.
One of the newest and possibly most helpful tools on the market is a tiller. This compact metal tool has a rotating disc on the bottom that spins as it turns. Because the disc spins while you are tilling the soil, you can reach areas that other tools cannot reach. You do, however, need to be careful when using a tiller in different parts of the garden. If you do not pay close attention to the quality of the soil, you can end up with nutrient-deficient soil that will be useless for your plants.