I recently moved into a newly built house, and it seems like the builders didn't really consult us about the soil they used for our backyard. The soil looks decent overall, though there are quite a few stones. However, after some hot weather and foot traffic, it has become really compacted. I'm wondering if anyone has tips on how to effectively break it up. I have a feeling waiting for rain and then turning it over might help, but I'd love to hear other suggestions!
2 Answers
I had a similar problem when I moved into my house. For stubborn compacted spots, using a heavy-duty mattock is a game changer! It's a workout but really effective. I also rented an electric tiller which worked wonders to break up the soil after I soaked the dry parts. With a little care, it turned into beautiful vegetable beds in no time!
You could hire a rotavator for a day! It's a pretty straightforward way to break up compacted soil without too much elbow grease. Just make sure the ground isn't too dry before you start, or it won't do as good of a job.
Thanks for the tip! I tried using a digging hoe, but it didn’t make much of an impact. I’ll definitely look into getting a rotovator now.