S3E7 Why We don't Till, Building raised beds correctly Guest author Maia Toll - The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener radio show

Replay of The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio Show from 4-13-19
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Topics: Joey and Holly talks Talk about in segment 1 - Why we do not till our garden

1. We don’t own a tiller yes we could borrow or rent one but that not the reason we do not till
Tilling Creates Major Weed Problems Want less weeds? Then stop Rototilling. 2.Rototillers cause more weeds than they ever come close to eliminating.
3. Tilling Creates The Problem Of Bare Soil When it comes to preparing beds for planting, leaving the soil bare causes a whole slew of issues that go beyond leaving an opening for weed seeds to find a home.
Exposed, barren soil is primed and ready for erosion. Heavy rains leach vital nutrients from bare soil with ease. And even slight winds can carry the top 1/8 to 1/4 inch of exposed garden soil away as well.
If that isn’t enough, bare soil dries out quickly. And when it does, it leaves plants thirsty in a hurry.
Nicely tilled rows between plants might look “well-kept”, but in reality, they really lead to more weeds, and a loss of critical topsoil and water.
4. Tilling Destroys Soil Structure
Healthy soil is all about structure.
Great soil is filled with billions of helpful bacteria, worms and microorganisms. And, it should also contain all types of organic matter in various stages of decay.
All of the above play a huge role in bringing and supplying nutrients to your plants.
The little bits and pieces of organic matter and organisms work together to allow water, air and nutrients to be absorbed by roots.
Unfortunately, tilling the soil destroys that entire symbiotic process.
As soil is tilled over and over, the all-important soil structure is
compromised.
In addition, the active life in the soil (worms and organisms) are disrupted and exposed.
5 Soil Compaction – Stunting Plant
Every time you walk near the plants in your garden, you compress the soil.
And when that soil is pulverized and loose, it compacts even easier.
Compacted soil around the roots causes big problems for plants. It makes it harder for water and air to get through – resulting in under performing plants
Poor structure also makes it difficult for the soil to retain moisture – also a critical factor in a plant’s growth and success.
And last – whether you have a rear tine tiller, front tine tiller – you still have to walk behind it or beside it – compacting even more of the very soil you are trying to break up.
6. Tilling Can Delay Garden Season
If the four reasons above aren’t enough to keep from tilling the garden, here is one final reason to avoid the tiller when preparing garden beds for planting: waiting for the soil to dry out!
How many times have you heard someone say “I couldn’t get my tiller in the soil until late Spring because it was so wet.”
With a no-till approach, your soil structure drains better and can be worked sooner. It also leads to earlier harvest times because the plants can go in sooner.Beyond that, tilling at the wrong time creates serious additional damage to the soil structure.
If it’s too wet, it results in clumpy and muddy soil. Too dry, and the rototiller destroys the little soil structure remaining.
Both issues make it harder for the soil to hold in moisture and nutrients.
The result? The need for more watering and fertilizers for the soil to make up for(continued)