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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA cultivator is just like a hoe – without all the blisters and backaches!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use a cultivator<\/a> to pulverize weeds and their roots, aerate the soil, and improve the soil structure right after you’re tilled (usually by working in fertilizer or other amendments). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cultivators can be hooked up to tractors and powered that way or they can be operated in a walk-behind design. Although they are technically different, you might hear cultivators referred to as garden tillers as well. They can also be sold by the names of two-wheel riding rotavators, rotavators, rotary tillers<\/a>, and rototillers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also large machines like row crop cultivators and field cultivators that are meant to be used on large plots of land, like commercial vegetable farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most cultivators have adjustable settings so you can use the deeper settings on tougher weeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Electric cultivators work just like their gas-powered counterparts, but since they tend to be smaller, more lightweight, and simpler to use, they\u2019re better for quick jobs or for areas you might need to work that are small and confined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These pieces of equipment rely on compact electric motors instead of gas engines. Because of this, there\u2019s no need to refuel or mix fuel and oil. This takes one inconvenient step out of the process of preparing your garden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, electric cultivators are smaller and therefore take up less space in storage. They operate more quietly as well. Because they have adjustable tines, you can vary how wide and deep you go in your cultivating. This makes them super versatile, even for small or medium-sized garden plots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Battery-powered cultivators are powered with small rechargeable batteries (typically one 24-volt 2.0 Ah rechargeable lithium-ion battery per machine, though this can vary). You\u2019ll have to recharge the batteries between uses, with one charge usually clearing around 100 to 200 square feet of soil (to a depth of around four inches). <\/p>\n\n\n\n These tools are perfect for preparing small plant beads, getting rid of weeds, and for aerating the soil. They\u2019re lightweight and many have telescopic poles so you can reach further in tight spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Electric cultivators may not have quite as much power as gas-powered ones or tractor-driven machines, but they can still get the job done! Plus, they\u2019re easier to use and easier to start. They\u2019re also much quieter so you may not need hearing protection while you work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get started, make sure you\u2019re wearing a pair of goggles and some tall boots. Although using an electric cultivator is pretty safe, you should protect yourself from pieces of sticks and rocks that might become airborne when the machine catches them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan out where you need to work the soil before you get started. The beauty of using a battery-powered cultivator is that you don\u2019t have to worry about an electric cord limiting your reach, as you might with other types of electric cultivators. Still, you need to make sure your battery has enough juice to reach all the areas you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also need to avoid overworking the soil, since this can disrupt beneficial insects and microorganisms. Try to till when the soil is moist, though not overly wet<\/a>. The water can overwork the cultivator and you might compact the soil too much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Start the machine in neutral, put it into the soil, and engage the forks. It will jerk forward slightly as it begins to work, so hold on tight. Push it in front of you like a lawnmower, using both hands to push down and prevent you from being pulled forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have to make a few passes if the soil is clumpy or compacted. Return it to neutral when you finish a pass and lift it out of the soil. These machines aren\u2019t the best at making corners or turning, so you\u2019ll need to stop, put the tiller in the right place, and re-engage the forks when you\u2019re making a turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a helpful video that should walk you through the process of how to use a small electric cultivator:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Does an Electric Cultivator Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Do You Use a Small Electric Cultivator?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n