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Easiest way to dig and level soil

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  • 21-12-2020 4:07pm
    #1
    Cona
    Closed Accounts Posts: 591 ✭✭✭


    Hi,
    I just cleared out my garden (about 40sqm) which was mostly over-grown with weeds.

    Right now, the next job is to level off the garden properly as its quite lumpy and uneven. Any clever ideas?
    Other than breaking my back with a shovel I was considering a rotivator to break up the soil and then rake level as possible.

    Anything else I should be considering?


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    #2
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,050 ✭✭✭wait4me


    I bought an electric rotovator in Lidl two years ago. Sorry I had not discovered a rotovator earlier as it takes the heart ache out of digging the garden. So I would suggest a rotovator. However the soil must be very wet at the moment and might be difficult to work either with a spade or rotovator. But I'll leave it to those more expert......
    Leveling really is rake work


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    #3
    The Red Ace
    Registered Users Posts: 1,377 ✭✭✭The Red Ace


    The rotovator is the job, well worth hiring as it will fly through the job, also ask if they have a lawn leveler attachment with which you can grade and level it to perfection, I have my own unit with all the attachments and it makes gardening a doddle


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    #4
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users Posts: 6,822 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    Another vote for a decent rotovator. I have a petrol model with a working width of about 75cm. Until this year, it has been my go-to tool for conditioning cleared ground prior to levelling and eventually planting. My machine has two blades on each side of the "hub" which gives me a nice line between two beds of 30cm (expanded to 60cm on the return journey). The only reason it's not the go-to tool this year is because I've cleared and worked all the "easy" areas, and have now upgraded to a mini-digger for the next phase, as I have to deal with loads of thick roots and really, really heavy clay subsoil. But I'll probably sell the digger before I sell the rotovator!


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    #5
    Cona
    Closed Accounts Posts: 591 ✭✭✭Cona


    Thanks all for the advice. Will go with the rotivator in March, level it and seed it as best I can.


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    #6
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 49,485 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    wait4me wrote: »
    I bought an electric rotovator in Lidl two years ago.
    was it a rotovator or a tiller? i don't recall them having rotovators, certainly nothing particularly heavy.
    rotovators are fairly easy to hire AFAIK anyway.


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    #7
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,050 ✭✭✭wait4me


    Sorry for the late reply magicbastarder; it was a tiller and not a rotovator. My bad. Whatever we call it, it still it does the backbreaking work for me and the best investment I have made in a long time.


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    #8
    human2
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭human2


    Personally I wouldn't rotovate -if you are putting in grass its too much unnecessary backbreaking hard work! Better off using a Power rake like a TurfTeq Power Rake. Leave you with a level surface and fine tilth ready to sow. A rotovator will dig too deep which is not necessary.


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