|
|
Tips On Cultivating Flower &
Vegetable Beds
(NAPSI)—Like a friendship or a natural talent, a garden must be cultivated in order
to grow. Cultivating flower and vegetable beds involves breaking up soil and getting rid
of weeds. While it’s possible to tackle this chore manually, there are helpful
gadgets which can get the job done in less time.
Before you begin, however, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that:
• Soil needs to be relatively dry before cultivating.
• To determine if it’s dry enough, grab a handful of the soil in question and
try to squeeze it into a ball. If the soil sticks together, it’s too wet to
cultivate. If the soil crumbles, it’s just right.
• If you think the soil in your beds is too hard, try to work in a soil-loosening
product, which will provide nutrients and make your soil the correct consistency for
planting.
When choosing a cultivator, consider that most models are heavy and
cumbersome. Most consumers are reluctant to purchase such a customized tool, which can be
expensive and take up a lot of space in the tool shed.
Another option is a cultivator attachment to a multi-purpose garden
tool. Such a device can be just the thing for tilling small home flower and vegetable
gardens or raised beds—helping bring forth a colorful bounty without costing a lot of
green.
For example, the Ryobi GC720r is an add-on cultivator for the
company’s TrimmerPlusŪ system. The attachment has an adjustable tine width of
6" to 91/2", allowing the user to till over rows without damaging plants. With
four heat-treated, heavy-duty 8" steel tines, it has the ability to cut through weeds
and turn soil, allowing nutrients to replenish the earth.
The GC720r features a heavy-duty gear box for long-lasting
dependability, and the innovative shaft allows gardeners to use the cultivator with any
TrimmerPlus unit—the lightweight electric, 2-cycle or environmentally friendly
4-cycle version.
The add-on cultivator is available at most home centers for about
$89. To learn more about the TrimmerPlus system and its various attachments. How does
your garden grow? A cultivator may be able to help it grow even better. |
