A mini garden tiller is a rototiller designed on a small scale. These devices are intended to be used by gardeners working in small spaces with land which has a history of cultivation, rather than to break ground which has not been worked before. They are available at some nurseries and garden supply stores, and they can also be rented, for people who prefer not to invest in a tiller. One advantage to renting is that someone else handles the storage and maintenance, which can be a distinct advantage when gardeners have a limited amount of time and space to work with.
Several companies make mini garden tillers, with two main types to choose from. Both are cheaper to operate, quieter, and less polluting than full sized tillers. Electric tillers are very quiet and non-polluting, while gas tillers produce more power, which can be important when soil is coarse. A mini garden tiller can also come with attachments which turn it into a multi-use garden tool. For gardeners who want to save money and space, a mini garden tiller with attachments may be an excellent alternative to buying several different tools.
The small size of these tillers is a selling point for a number of reasons. A mini garden tiller is easy for one person to move and operate, allowing gardeners to work on their own. The small size also makes it easy to handle in cramped spaces, ensuring that every area of the garden can be covered, even small corners which might be hard to reach with a regular rototiller. A mini garden rototiller also have adjustable tines, just like a big tiller, allowing gardeners to work the soil gradually to increasing depths.
The drawback to a mini garden tiller is that it tends to be underpowered when compared to a full size tiller. While this is not a problem in a small garden, it can become an issue in a big space; working a large garden, for example, might be a stretch with a mini garden tiller. The small size also means that the tiller covers less ground as it moves, which can make tilling large spaces a grueling task with a mini tiller.
When selecting a mini garden tiller, gardeners may want to check reviews to see which products are favorites with gardeners, and consider asking friends and neighbors if they have any recommendations. It may also help to rent a tiller to get a feel for how it handles and to determine whether or not it will work in the garden; if the tiller is satisfactory, the same model can be purchased.