renovating and rototilling

Q--
We have always used a multivator for renovation. The one we use for renovation is the heavy duty single row model. I am curious about what others use for renovation? Nate? I would like something more aggressive. Is this a bad idea, Nate?

A--
We use a heavy duty rototiller for the first and second passes, with the tines removed where we want to keep the plants. Then we also use the multivator multi-head unit with the side guards removed for the finish passes. Removing the side guards throws more soil onto the plants.

Being too aggressive and going too deep brings up a lot of weed seed and will potentially hurt the plants if not enough overhead irrigation is used.

Nate Nourse

Q--
We were thinking about using some type of sub-soiler. For now, we will stick with the multivator. The heavy duty tiller, with the tines taken out, is a great idea. I will keep my eye out for a rotavator.

A--
We do use a sub-soiler at renovation. For matted row system, you would just do the wheel marks. For ribbon row, we will also put a shank in the middle of the bed.

Nate Nourse