How to Till Under Weeds & Grass

Wait until two weeks prior to your desired planting date and select a day when there has been no rain for two days and the soil is slightly damp but not soggy. Tilling wet soil can compact it, which is bad for future plantings. If there has been no rain for an extended period and the soil is entirely dry, water it with 1 inch of water to prevent dust clouds.

Walk over the weedy area and look for large stones, sticks or other obstructions on the surface and remove them from the area. These objects are dangerous if the tiller hits them, since they can fly up into the air.

Clad yourself in the proper safety gear including safety glasses and work gloves as well as a dust mask, if desired.

Set the blade depth on the tiller to 3 inches using the manufacturer’s instructions for the machine. Start the tiller and push it over the weeds and grass until you reach the opposite side of the site. Turn around and push the tiller back in the opposite direction, making sure you overlap the first row by at least 2 to 3 inches.

Continue pushing the tiller back and forth over the area until no more weeds or grass remain standing.

Reposition the tiller so that it is perpendicular to the first rows and then repeat the entire tilling process again in the opposite direction.

Wait until the day prior to your desired planting date and till the entire area once more. Use the same method and again set the tiller to a 3-inch soil depth.