Many gardeners assume that to be successful they must till their soil to bury weeds or crop residue and to produce a smooth seedbed. A smooth seedbed is necessary for most root crops and for very small-seeded vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, carrots, beets, and radishes. Larger seeded species, such as lima beans, snap beans, and corn, and many transplanted species will establish and produce an abundant harvest without tillage.
Gardeners should try to minimize tillage for several reasons:
1. Continuous tillage results in loss of soil organic matter.
2. Continuous tillage with power-driven tillers often destroys soil structure and increases soil compaction.
3. Tillage requires more labor in the garden.
4. A mulch of cover crop residue or straw conserves soil water and can be a valuable asset in weed management.
