In the wake of purchasing a rear tine tiller, it is vital to realize how to utilize it for tilling your home garden. So it’s better to ask someone who is a gardening expert and has been utilizing a rear tine tiller for a long time.
After years of research, our gardening specialists have gathered enough information that can let you know how to till a garden with a rear tine tiller, in what sort of regions it works appropriately, and what are the different benefits and demerits of using a rear tine tiller for a home garden. Read our article below and get ready to prepare your beautiful garden bed this spring!
How to till a garden with a rear tine tiller
Getting the soil ready
Autumn and spring are the recommended seasons for tilling. If you decide to till your garden, then first prepare your soil and make it clumps-free. If the soil is dry, sprinkle some water with a hosepipe to get the tilling done efficiently. But if the soil is already quite wet with rain, wait for 2 to 3 days to get the soil perfectly in place for tilling. Preparing the soil before tilling enhances the yield of your garden.
Locating the parts of the rear tine tiller:
Look through the manual’s guide that is supplied with your rear tine tiller and be acquainted with the machinery before utilizing it for tilling purposes. Having a knowledge of the parts fitted with the tiller like rotatory unit, depth bar regulator, transmission, clutch, and brakes by which it is driven, saves your time while tilling your garden.
Setting the rear tine tiller:
Now your rear tine tiller is all set to till your garden in no time! For more detailed information check our recent article HOW TO USE A REAR TINE TILLER.
How to till a garden with a rear-tine tiller?
- Starting the rear tine tiller
Once the tiller starts working, it’s time to till the soil. Now turn on the Tine control mode. This mode will lend you a helping hand in tilling the soil by rotating the tine in the direction opposite to the motion of the tiller.
The tiller should be raising the topsoil off to both sides at the correct depth. If the depth is not correct, then ensure to put some more pressure on the handles either in the upward or downward direction to make the tiller work properly.
- Making passes on the ground
After starting the garden tiller and adjusting its depth according to your soil requirements. Engage the tines and make parallel passes across the garden according to a particular pattern so it will be easy for you to sow seeds and sprinkle water later on in the rows of the passes. After completing the passes in one direction, adjust the depth bar to the deepest depth and now make passes in the perpendicular direction. For more information check our article: HOW TO MAKE GARDEN ROWS WITH A REAR TINE TILLER.
- Amendments into the soil
After making passes once or twice on the ground, adding organic matter, mulches, compost, or manure into the soil would enhance the yield by facilitating the seedbed preparation and reducing the stickiness of clay soil which makes it easier to till. Let the organic matter enrich the soil for a few days so the nutrients are well balanced.
- Making Final passes
Make sure the organic matter is mixed deep into the soil up to 6 to 8 inches. For proper aeration of the soil, make fewer passes along the length and width of the garden at a medium-depth setting. Then finally set the depth bar regulator to the maximum and make final deep passes across the garden.
Pro tilling tips for beginners:
CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
Features;
- Power type: Gas, 0.9 gal
- Engine: 212cc 4-cycle Champion, recoil start
- Tines: 4, counter-rotating, hardened steel
- Tires: front
- Performance: 19-in. wide and up to 8-in. deep
- Dimensions: 58.7 x 20.9 x 22 inches, 160.9 lbs
- Warranty: 2-year limited
- More features: 1 forward and 1 reverse speed, safety shields, low oil shut-off sensor, EPA certified, CARB compliant
Features

The Champion Power Equipment 19-inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is by far the best on the market. The cast iron case, gear-driven transmission, and 212cc engine are just a few of the features that make this tiller stand out. There’s nothing I can think of that I would change about this tiller. Indeed, this Champion rototiller is for rocky soil.
This is a multi-functional tiller that incorporates both tillage and planting functionality. It has been applauded so many times due to the excellent mixing equipment. If you’re suffering from a bad back or have arthritis then this machine will be a blessing because of its comfort controls that allow you to finish your tasks with ease.
The engine operates on a fuel that is extremely affordable, giving it even more value for money, while the four hardened steel gears enable you to get 14-gauge stamped steel spark arrestors mounted on yellow metal wheels that offer great traction making certain that you can tackle even the most difficult of terrains with ease. The heavy-duty design offers superior resistance to wear and tear meaning it can handle demanding tasks without any issues.
Specialty
Flaws
Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator, 79cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine
Features

I have not had the opportunity to use the tiller yet but have used a Tazz tiller before and it is a great machine. I have never had any problems with the tiller and it always started right up. I have used it for tilling, cultivating, and removing weeds. I would definitely recommend this tiller for rocky soil land tilling.
The Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller for rocky soil with a 79cc Viper Engine is the perfect tool for tilling and cultivating your garden. The tiller can till through any soil condition with ease thanks to its high-performance 79cc Viper engine. It comes with steel-constructed tines that are built tough to last. The tines are made of high-quality steel to ensure the durability of the tiller.
It has 3 different attachments (tiller, cultivator and Hiller) that can be changed very easily, also, you can use the full 21” tilling width to create a level seedbed for planting, then switch back to the 16” or 11” cultivating. Meanwhile, the forged steel tines provide rugged durability for lasting results season after season. The tiller comes with two front wheels which make it easy to drive along the rows in your garden or field.
Specialty
Flaws
EARTHQUAKE 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
Features

Features;
- Power: gas, 0.9 gal
- Engine: 212cc 4-cycle/ L-HEAD VIPER, recoil start
- Tines: counter-rotating
- Tires: front
- Performance: 16-in. wide and up to 10-in. deep
- Dimensions: 57.2 x 20.9 x 43.7 inches, 164 lbs
- Warranty: 5-year limited
- More features: 2 forward and 1 reverse speed, safety shields, 3-position adjustable handlebar, airless tires
The Earthquake rear tine rototiller offers the greatest power and performance available with its 212cc Viper engine that can actually loosen even the toughest of rocky soil with ease. This Powerhouse showcases a cast iron and bronze gear drive transmission, making it ideal for those people who enjoy working hard on their gardens as well as those who have a large plot of land they love to tend to. And Pioneer tiller is best for rocky soil.
This smaller-size tiller comes with everything you need to get your garden prepared. With these easiest tillers, you can dig deeper than 13.5 inches and feel powerful work being done as you watch those weeds disappear. This is a great tool if you want to do some serious gardening without having to bend over continuously making it easy to use. It’s great, don’t miss out on this fantastic offer.
Specialty
- Large 13.5-inch solid tires with 10-inch tilling depth
- Four-stroke engine 5-year warranty
Flaws
- Cumbersome to switch between free-roll and drive tires
Specialty
Flaws
Rear Tine Tillers FAQs
OUR FINAL VERDICT
Being a professional gardener, I have worked for almost 15 years in multifarious gardens. So I created this blog for enthusiastic gardeners all around the globe. I hope that the article above on how to till a garden with a rear tine tiller lent you a helping hand in gaining enough information regarding gardening purposes. All the information is based on years of research and experience. Thank you!