How to Till a Garden by Hand: the Double Digging Method
Learn how to use the double digging method to till a garden by hand. This method may be laborious and time consuming, but it does get the job done effectively. It is also great for people that have small gardens planned or do not have access to a rototiller or garden tractor.
Cost: 5
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Equipment
Materials
- Appropriate clothing for outside work
Instructions
- Step 1. Mow or kill the grass and weeds off the area. This process may take several days if you decide to use an herbicide. You could also dig off the topsoil layer, but I find you loose organic matter and nutrients when doing this.
- Step 2. Using a standard spade shovel, dig out a row of soil, placing the soil alongside the row on the starting end of your garden. Work this row across the length of your garden. You will want to do this in slices or small chunks at a time, as deep as the shovel, about 8 inches. Again, place the removed soil on the side of the row that is on the “outside” of your garden or space or in the opposite direction you plan to go for your next row.
- Step 3. Place any compost material you desire in the furrow and mix it into the “subsoil.”
- Step 4. Dig your second row parallel to your first and place the soil from that row into the furrow, or ditch, of your first row. Just flip the soil over into the first dug out ditch/row.
- Step 5. Repeat this process across your entire space, working the dirt from one row into the previous row’s furrow. This is done in parallel lines/rows across your garden.
- Step 6. Place the starting soil into the last furrow, if desired.
- Step 7. Use your shovel to break up the soil into large clumps.
- Step 8. Break up the soil into the fine consistency you desire by using a hand cultivator. A hand cultivator is the one with a handle and three tines, similar in look to a rake. I suggest using a metal one with a long handle. You could also add more compost material to the top at this time to mix it into the topsoil.