Plow for garden

[mass_burner]

Is there such thing as a plow I can pull with my lawn tractor to plow my four 4x8 planting beds? I'm tired of digging them up every year.

 

[johneh]

Why plow such a small area borrow, rent or buy a rotor tiller
it is easier and more effective than a plow

 

[mass_burner]

Why plow such a small area borrow, rent or buy a rotor tiller
it is easier and more effective than a plow

We have rocky soil here in MA, I don't want to be on the hook for damaged tines.

 

[begreen]

4 x 8 is relatively small, even for a tiller. Get the rocks out and hand turn the beds. Mulch heavily so that this is an easy job and you're not fighting weeds, grass, etc..

 

[mass_burner]

4 x 8 is relatively small, even for a tiller. Get the rocks out and hand turn the beds. Mulch heavily so that this is an easy job and you're not fighting weeds, grass, etc..

That's four 8x4 plots, or 128sq ft. .Not a tremendous job, but with all the other tasks, it just one more PIA.

 

[johneh]

We have rocky soil here in MA, I don't want to be on the hook for damaged tines.

Take it you have never been to Lanark County Ontario AKA rock capital of Canada
Use to work a 40 ft by 100 ft. truck garden picked rock for 30 years they were the
easiest thing to grow only ever used a tiller never had a tang problem they just bounce
off rocks definitely gives you a good work out

 

[gzecc]

Is there such thing as a plow I can pull with my lawn tractor to plow my four 4x8 planting beds? I'm tired of digging them up every year.

What model and make tractor do you have?

 

[begreen]

That's four 8x4 plots, or 128sq ft. .Not a tremendous job, but with all the other tasks, it just one more PIA.

I have 10, 4 x 16 raised beds. Compared to the in-ground beds we have they are a joy to turn over. Just keep them weed free with mulch and it is not a big task taken one bed at a time.

 

[billb3]

I don't dig mine up every year.

The 75x4 strips in my front lawn I double dug ( two shovels deep) which was pretty much to gravel in some places ( was a plowed field years ago) added a lot of compost and haven't dug it up since. I mulch with chewed up oak leaves I save in a pile over the Winter . I'll pull last year's mulch to the side in the Spring. Add some compost to the surface and scratch it in maybe an inch. Plant and add more mulch. I walk on the grass not the beds so it doesn't get compacted.

I have three rows like that on each side of the driveway.

I do have a rototiller. I used it to make two new beds for my sister in another part of the yard. She wanted to add peat. With the rototiller it really didn't get mixed in very deep.

I don't do a Winter cover crop. That would have to get tilled/plowed in, turned over somehow. I tried rye one Winter and got busy, it went to seed and I had a mess.
Compost is all I have time for.

 

[mass_burner]

Thanks, I cover the plots with mulched leaves in December, but I was late to get around to planting this year and the weeds came in. I like the leaf bins, I need to do that.

 

[mass_burner]

What model and make tractor do you have?

JD 170

 

[gzecc]

JD 170

Probably have to trade up to a small garden tractor. I would suggest at least something with a 3 point hitch to control downward movement. Like a JD 318 expect to pay around 2-3k depending on the condition. Expect to work on it yourself, being they are approx 30 yrs old.

 

[semipro]

Conventional wisdom for yard tractors/mowers used to be that a cast iron transmission/gearbox was required for any ground engaging implements. I'm not sure how true that is anymore. My Deere 30 HP compact tractor has a cast aluminum gearbox so maybe things have changed.

 

[billb3]

Thanks, I cover the plots with mulched leaves in December, but I was late to get around to planting this year and the weeds came in. I like the leaf bins, I need to do that.

Hey. The leaf bins are my compost piles.
It's not the greatest way to make compost but it works.

I make a mountain of leaves, like snow at the mall parking lot. It stays put surprisingly although it is not hurricane tested.

 

[mass_burner]

Sounds like no plow options for me without new equipment. I figured I could hook something up, then drag across plots from either side.

 

[Jags]

You really don't want a plow for a garden unless you are cutting sod. A plow leaves a very lumpy, bumpy finish with deep farrows unless you follow with a substantial drag or finisher.
Outside of doing it by hand - a tiller is hands down the tool for the job. They do make some tow behind tillers that would work with your machine. They are self powered.
This critter is one example:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622251_200622251?isSearch=41966

 

[Ashful]

JD 170 is a tiny tractor, and a plow won't even sink to full running depth in 8 feet, so... maybe consider a sod buster? Is there even a three-point option for a 170?

Me? I'd just be renting a rototiller.

 

[Jags]

Me? I'd just be renting a rototiller.

This ^^^

 

[mithesaint]

This ^^^

x3.

 

[jdp1152]

Stihl kombi

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I've gone no till. Lots of mulch though...