How to Till the Ground to Plant Vegetables

Walk over the desired planting site and pick up any large rocks or stones that are clearly visible on the surface. These can be dangerous if tilled over, since they may fly up and cause injury.

Put on thick work gloves and safety glasses before beginning the tilling process. If you have allergies, you may want to also wear a dust mask as well.

Place the tiller at the edge of the garden site and find the depth regulator located just above the tines. Adjust the depth regulator to between 4 and 5 inches, or less if you have heavy clay soil.

Start the tiller and push it slowly and steadily over the garden site until you reach the other end. Then turn the tiller around and push it back across the site directly beside the first row. Continue this process until you have tilled the entire garden plot.

Turn the tiller off and spread a 1-inch layer of well-rotted compost over the garden area as a soil supplement. Apply the compost as evenly as possible with your hands or with a shovel. You can also apply a 1-inch layer of leaves to the area as an additional amendment.

Turn the tiller back on and position it perpendicular to the first set of rows. Retill the ground to an 8-inch depth using the same method used the first time.

Wait at least three days if you are tilling in the spring and repeat the process of tilling, but do not add additional soil amendments. If you are tilling in the fall, wait until the following spring to retill the soil.