Home
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Mini Garden Tiller?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A mini garden tiller is a rototiller designed on a small scale. These devices are intended to be used by gardeners working in small spaces with land which has a history of cultivation, rather than to break ground which has not been worked before. They are available at some nurseries and garden supply stores, and they can also be rented, for people who prefer not to invest in a tiller. One advantage to renting is that someone else handles the storage and maintenance, which can be a distinct advantage when gardeners have a limited amount of time and space to work with.

Several companies make mini garden tillers, with two main types to choose from. Both are cheaper to operate, quieter, and less polluting than full sized tillers. Electric tillers are very quiet and non-polluting, while gas tillers produce more power, which can be important when soil is coarse. A mini garden tiller can also come with attachments which turn it into a multi-use garden tool. For gardeners who want to save money and space, a mini garden tiller with attachments may be an excellent alternative to buying several different tools.

A mini garden tiller can be a cheaper option for home gardeners.
A mini garden tiller can be a cheaper option for home gardeners.

The small size of these tillers is a selling point for a number of reasons. A mini garden tiller is easy for one person to move and operate, allowing gardeners to work on their own. The small size also makes it easy to handle in cramped spaces, ensuring that every area of the garden can be covered, even small corners which might be hard to reach with a regular rototiller. A mini garden rototiller also have adjustable tines, just like a big tiller, allowing gardeners to work the soil gradually to increasing depths.

A mini garden tiller is used to work the soil until it is the desired consistency.
A mini garden tiller is used to work the soil until it is the desired consistency.

The drawback to a mini garden tiller is that it tends to be underpowered when compared to a full size tiller. While this is not a problem in a small garden, it can become an issue in a big space; working a large garden, for example, might be a stretch with a mini garden tiller. The small size also means that the tiller covers less ground as it moves, which can make tilling large spaces a grueling task with a mini tiller.

When selecting a mini garden tiller, gardeners may want to check reviews to see which products are favorites with gardeners, and consider asking friends and neighbors if they have any recommendations. It may also help to rent a tiller to get a feel for how it handles and to determine whether or not it will work in the garden; if the tiller is satisfactory, the same model can be purchased.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A mini garden tiller can be a cheaper option for home gardeners.
      By: Nikita Buida
      A mini garden tiller can be a cheaper option for home gardeners.
    • A mini garden tiller is used to work the soil until it is the desired consistency.
      By: Vasily Merkushev
      A mini garden tiller is used to work the soil until it is the desired consistency.