Another Subsoiler Question

TMcD_in_MI · Mar 25, 2005

The other post on subsoilers got me thinking. How do I know if I need to use one? I have a new place that I started a garden in last year, and all I did is work the ground with a walk-behind tiller. It was slow work, and the tiller definitely had a tough time getting very deep. Would it be good to run a subsoiler through the garden this spring before I till my rye under?

Any advice on how close together the subsoiler passes should be?

Tom

DocHeb · Mar 26, 2005

After several seasons of tilling, you will be able to dig down to the depth you have been tilling and find a "pan" layer of soil that is very hard. This comes from the compaction from the tractor weight and the fact that it hasn't been "chewed-up" from the tiller. Depending on your tiller depth and the depth of your topsoil, it may also be the beginning of the "subsoil", or anaerobic area of mineral soil that doesn't support root growth very well.

In the end, this needs to be broken up if water drainage becomes a problem, or if you need deeper root growth. I have run a subsoiler through my heavy clay subsoil with 12 inch passes, and it makes a noticable difference in water drainage. I don't know if you're in deep sand up there where you live. If the soil is very sandy you probably don't need the subsoiler.

sweettractors · Mar 26, 2005

We use subsoilers to reduce compaction and promote moisture retention in the dry summer months.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Used Subsoilers, JD,Worksaver,Fred Cain,Tufline*

MMM · Mar 26, 2005

It helps in sandy soil also. Under our 12" -18" of sandy loam topsoil lies a hard red clay/sand layer that sheets water off. Sort of like if you were to have a layer of sand on a sheet of glass and poured water on it. It would all run off under the surface. If you break this hardpan, it allows water to be trapped and roots will go down and get it.