Disclaimer: I'm fairly new to gardening. This is the 2nd year we've done more than just containers. I've tore up plenty of ground on big farm tractors but I'm stumped right now. We have plans of expanding our little spot. I'll have a spot just short of 2000 sq feet I'll be using for the garden. I live in a neighborhood setting. Fenced in yard and the garden is fenced in as well to keep dogs out. My walk behind troy-bilt tiller just is not breaking the ground due to me driving around that back yard for years with my truck & massive smoker. It's compacted as any ground I've worked. I want to turn it under. Don't know anyone with a small setup...only big ol tractors. What's a 'cheat' or something I can buy or rent to turn the ground now enough that the tiller will work.

If a small tractor can get in there a tiller on back would do it..if not I'd do a raised bed garden...theys a lady on here that has some impressive stuff that isn't tilled ground but my mind aint working maybe shell chime in

Personally I'm a fan of the "big ol tractors".
A chisel plow should do the job.

Only fella I know well enough with a small enough tractor to get in the back doesn't have a tiller. Go figure.



You better believe I am too... but they're not getting in there without tearing down the fence.

Wait till the ground has plenty of moisture. Use a sprinkle if need be. Roundup it ahead of time.

Broad fork. Get metal handles.

I do mostly raised beds but just broke up a small (16x16) in ground garden & used the tiller on the back of our Kubota. It worked great. Maybe if you could find one of the larger rear tine tillers it would work, not sure but good luck.

Just pay somebody $100 to do it with their small tractor.

Found a guy in my neighborhood who is bringing his little tractor & plow over next week. Tried to pay him & wouldn't have it. Very neighborly of him. He'll be getting paid in BBQ...just doesn't know it yet. Thanks for the suggestions fellas.

Good deal