New toy

I bought myself a Christmas present for the garden.  It is an Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8-1/2 Amp Electric Tiller/Cultivator.  I tried it out today, Dec. 3rd.  It is over 55 degrees and earlier it was not rainy but now it is.  

This tiller worked great, I am most happy with my purchase.  It was on sale on Amazon.  

Here is a little patch that it tilled up in just a few minutes.  I could have kept going but the garden needs to be cleared of the piles of dead plant material first.  The tiller can't be used on long vines or branches because they will wind around the axle.  I will save the tilling for spring.  At least I know it works like a charm.  I love it.

My plan for early spring is to till the entire area then cover some parts of it with the old hay I have waiting.  This will keep the weeds from growing, then I will remove it to the compost heap, or to mulch tomatoes or other plants, when I want to plant.  The areas that will have wide spaces between rows like the corn and pole beans will be left uncovered.  These will be regularly tilled throughout the summer to help keep weeds down, along with a little hoeing.  

The garden will be expanded next summer to 50' X 25'.  This should be enough to supply one person with vegetables for a year, and then some, weather and pests permitting.