Electric Tiller & Mower

After research, reading reviews and watching some videos, we bought an Earthwise electric tiller. One of the reasons for this model is the difference in the tines compared to our Mantis. The Mantis does a good job cultivating areas that don't have much plant or weed growth, but it isn't very effective on crabgrass that has much of a root system.

 

Earthwise on the left, Mantis on the right

We chose the 10 amp version for size and tine options. This model is eleven inches wide which will allow it to get into small areas. You can also remove the outer set of tines and till a much smaller area. The machine is still as wide, but the hood over the tines should be able to move through some plants without any damage.

After the carrots were pulled

The area where the carrots were growing had a very happy crop of crabgrass and weeds growing about a foot tall.

After being mowed

First, we mowed that area. I shouldn't have planted that Cushaw winter squash right in the middle of this row. It would have made it easier to get the riding mower in there if I hadn't.

Then for the tilling. We used a 100' extension cord plugged into the house. It was easy enough to keep the cord to my right and pull it on behind me as I tilled down the left half of this area. On the return trip tilling on the right side (from the perspective of this picture) of the row, Frank lined out the cord to my right side again, which allowed me a view of it. This prevented any close calls or mishaps with the cord. I find that keeping up with the cord is very similar to running the vacuum sweeper. You just have to make sure you don't run over the cord with the tiller or mower, unlike the sweeper, there could be shocking consequences if you do.

After tilling

This electric tiller worked very well on these established roots. We were very impressed. A few grass and weed roots and stems had wound around the shaft, but a few minutes of works and they were easily removed.

Day of tilling

Day of tilling

A week later

A week later we were surprised to see that the vast majority of the grass roots were killed, very few places had any grass coming back at all. Now I am more than impressed, I am very pleased. The difference is the tines. The Mantis does not clear out the grass roots the way the Earthwise does. It's funny. I have been very pleased with the Mantis until I tried a different option with better tines. They both function just about the same - the amount of effort to run them is very similar, they both require a source of energy, either gas or electricity. The lack of carbon emissions didn't play into our decision to go electric, ease of use and the ability to manipulate in tightly planted areas, did. Age of the operator is also one of the main considerations. 

When Frank and I were first married, we owned no electric tools. Frank used a brace and bit and a hand saw. As we got older, we went to electric tools and they worked great. Then battery operated tools came along. Though not as strong, the battery operated tools do a good job in most areas. We also learned how valuable an air compressor is, too, especially when framing upside down and backwards inside a closet. There is a big difference between the age of 35 and 65. Sometimes changes are good. So are these electric garden machines heavy duty? No. But they make our life easier and more productive. Another small example. When we moved to Oklahoma from Alaska, we sold our big guns and got smaller guns. Times change. We are trying to do our part to feed ourselves and be as self sufficient as possible.

About a week or so after purchasing and using the tiller, we got to thinking how beneficial it would be to be able to mow some of the small places in and around the garden. Each year we have substantial weeds and grass growing in areas that we just can't get to. I actually planted some things with the hope of using the riding mower in some places, but that takes up a lot of planting space. With the success of the new tiller, we began looking at the Earthwise electric mowers.

We chose the 14 inch model to use in small areas. I was racing the weather trying to get a few things done in the garden before the rain, so this picture is in the shed instead of in the garden.

I have to tell you. When we unpacked the mower, we were not impressed at all. The body is plastic, does not appear to be very durable, and we did not think it would be able to tackle the job we had planned for it. We were pleasantly surprised. I mowed these areas on the highest setting and the pictures don't really reflect the outcome very well.

Between the corn before

Between corn after mowing

Where the beets were before

Where the beets were after mowing

I have never used a mulching mower before. There was an option to snap on a standard discharge port, but it would make the mower a little wider, so I chose to leave it off. Using the mower with the mulching flap engaged prevented piles of mowed grass in the wake of the tall grass I was mowing and prevented it from being blown onto the existing plants. After using it, I considered this to be an added benefit I wasn't expecting.

Next, I tilled this area where the beets and winter squash were. It took about five minutes. I will tell you more about this area in the next garden article.

Where the beets and winter squash were after tilling

For now, we would highly recommend this tiller and mower if an electric version is the desired product. We can't speak to the long term durability of the machines, but for initial use, they have out performed our expectations. Granted, if the electricity is off, they won't work, so this is not a purchase for the coming SHTF life we still expect to be living one of these days. If the electricity is off, gasoline won't be available either. So until those days arrive, these machines do an excellent job at helping us maintain our garden.

Until next time - Fern