posted 1 year ago
Controversial take: I tilled mine. I went through a lot of iterations before ultimately deciding to till, but ended up going with it because it was fast and effective for my purposes. I don't plan to till again, it was a grass killing measure.
I tilled, then covered it with a tarp. Waited two weeks (which killed the grass under the dirt), then tilled again. Covered it in a deep layer of hay and straw mulch, and planted.
My main tilling concern is the pan that forms under the ground. Since I am not making a habit of tilling, the pan won't form so my plants roots can go where they wish. The grass being tilled in becomes a green manure situation, and my plants in that bed are all very happy.