GardeningSoil PreparationTill or No-Till

Till Vs. No-Till: Which Is Better For Your Garden?

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Are you stuck trying to figure out whether to till or go no-till in your garden? If you’ve been thinking about which method is best for your space, then you’re in the right spot.

Choosing between the two is a common challenge for gardeners or farmers, and it can feel a bit overwhelming. 

As the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophon once said, “To be a successful farmer, one must first know the nature of the soil.” This really shows how important it is to get to know the soil you’re working with.

In this article, you’ll eventually learn whether tilling or no-till gardening is actually the best method for your garden.

An image of a tilled area of land.
Taken From Our Raised Beds Facebook Group

When it comes to gardening, many people see tilling as the go-to method for preparing the soil. It’s a common practice that many gardeners rely on. But is it really as helpful as it seems?

In the early stages of gardening, tilling can be beneficial. It breaks up compacted soil, making it easier for plant roots to grow. When the soil is loose, roots can spread out more easily, helping plants access the nutrients, water, and oxygen they need to thrive. This is especially important for new seedlings, as they rely on good soil conditions to establish themselves.

Tilling also aerates the soil. This means it allows air to reach deeper layers, which is important for healthy soil.

When you till, you are oxygenating the soil which often boost the number of beneficial microbes in the soil—sometimes even tripling their populations. 

These tiny organisms feed on organic matter, carbon, and nitrogen, breaking them down into forms that plants can use. This process is vital for building rich, healthy soil that supports strong plant growth.

However, when you think about it from a long-term perspective, you might want to reconsider if tilling is the best choice. While it has immediate benefits, frequent tilling can disrupt the soil's natural structure.

So, here’s a quick overview to help you understand what tilling can offer and what potential drawbacks you should be aware of:

Tilling AdvantagesTilling Disadvantages
Effectively controls weeds by uprooting them before planting.Can lead to soil erosion by disrupting the natural structure.
Allows incorporation of organic matter, like compost (learn more in our guide on how to compost), boosting soil nutrients.May harm beneficial microorganisms and earthworms essential for soil health.
Improves soil drainage.Over time, it can result in poorer soil quality, making it harder for plants to thrive.
Creates a fine seedbed for better seed-to-soil contact.Requires more energy and resources, including fuel for machinery.
Helps to break up compacted soil, promoting root growth.Can lead to the loss of soil moisture, making it dry out faster.
An image of a man's hand holding a soil clump.
Taken From Our Raised Beds Facebook Group

While tilling might seem helpful at first, it can lead to some big problems for your soil over time. One major issue is that it can seriously reduce the amount of organic matter in the ground. 

This happens because tilling breaks up soil clumps, which disrupts the natural structure and exposes organic matter to air. When this organic matter is exposed, it can decompose faster, especially with the help of microorganisms, leading to a loss of nutrients that plants need.

If you continue tilling, it exposes soil to erosion, especially if there are heavy rains or winds. This can wash away valuable topsoil, which is crucial for growing healthy plants. 

One real-life example of the downsides of tilling comes from David Brandt, a farmer in Carroll, Ohio.

At first, Brandt used conventional tillage, regularly turning the soil to prepare it for planting. Over time, he noticed serious problems like soil erosion and declining soil health. The constant tilling messed up the natural soil structure, leading to compaction and loss of valuable organic matter.

As a result, Brandt struggled with lower crop yields and had to rely more on chemical fertilizers to keep his farm productive. Realizing the harm of tilling, he switched to no-till farming in 1971 and started using cover crops to boost soil health.

This change helped restore his land’s fertility, reduced erosion, and improved water retention.

So, here is a quick YouTube video of the big topic of tillage versus no-till gardening and farming, breaking down the key differences and why no-till might be the better long-term choice for healthy soil and abundant harvests.


In this video, he discussed the differences between till and no-till gardening. While tilling can initially help break up hard soil and provide nutrients, it ultimately leads to problems like loss of organic matter and soil erosion.

In contrast, no-till gardening minimizes soil disturbance, promotes healthy microbial life, and builds soil fertility over time.

By leaving the soil untouched, helpful microorganisms, earthworms, and other soil life can thrive, resulting in a better soil structure. This helps nutrients move around and boosts soil fertility over time, as organic matter builds up from decomposed plants and cover crops.

Overall, no-till gardening is presented as a smarter choice for sustainable food production and healthier soil, encouraging viewers to embrace these methods for better gardening outcomes.

Which Is Better Till or No-Till?

In this YouTube video, Mark Scarpitti, a state agronomist, shows the clear differences between tilled and no-till soils, especially in how they absorb water and handle fertilizer runoff.


So, you can see that no-till farming really benefits both crops and the environment.

Mark Scarpitti showed no-till soils hold moisture better and reduce runoff, which helps crops grow healthier.

Through his demonstrations, he effectively communicates that no-till farming not only enhances soil health but also plays a crucial role in managing water and nutrients sustainably.

No-till farming has some big advantages. It helps maintain soil health by preventing erosion and compaction, which means your soil stays rich and productive. And, no-till practices improve moisture retention, so your plants get the water they need.

Not only does no-till save you time and money on fuel and labor, but it also benefits the environment by keeping carbon stored in the soil and promoting biodiversity. Over time, many find that no-till leads to higher and more stable crop yields.

This example makes it clear that no-till farming can be a smarter, more sustainable choice for farmers or even gardeners.

While no-till farming offers many benefits, it also has its drawbacks. To help you weigh the pros and cons, here’s a quick summary of the key points.

No-Tilling AdvantagesNo-Tilling Disadvantages
Keeps soil structure intact, which helps with drainage.Weeds can be harder to control, especially at first.
Helps the soil hold moisture, so you water less often.It may take longer for added materials to break down.
Supports helpful bugs and worms that improve soil health.Setting it up can require more planning and work upfront.
Reduces soil erosion by protecting the ground.Some may find it tough to plant in compacted soil.
Encourages a healthy ecosystem, leading to better plants.It can be a change for those used to traditional tilling.
This table shows the main benefits and drawbacks of no-till farming. By looking at these points, you can get a clearer idea of how no-till practices might affect your gardening or farming.

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