Some people really like rotavating their soil. Although this can be a good thing and save a lot of time there are things that you should consider before you dive in...
- Rotators are really good if you need to break up lots of soil. If your allotment is small and you don't have much soil you're better to use a spade or fork. Doing this you will get to know the ground that you are working much much better.
- If you really need to rotavate do it in spring or autumn to break up the soil but don't keep doing it over and over again on the same area of soil. It really isn't doing the soil any favours.
- Rotavating the soil when it's wet is a guaranteed way of destroying its structure.
- Rotavators do not work the soil as deeply as a spade or fork will do which can cause problems for plants when they are trying to send roots down.
- Worms are your friends. Rotavators are worms' enemies, breaking them up and lowering their population.
- Weeds are your enemies. Rotavators are weeds' friends, breaking up their roots and increasing their population.
- Rotavators make a lot of noise! Respect your plot neighbours and try to rotavate when there aren't other people around enjoying the peace and quiet.
