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["Lynn Wigglesworth" <lynnw1366 AT hotmail.com>]

> PLOW
> I'm currently using a gas engined rotor tiller, which I know is >not 
> sustainable in worst case scenario, but it was a b-day gift >from dad.

I know nothing about desert gardening; what kind of soil do you have? When 
I start a new garden bed here, I rototill for the first couple of years. I 
have heavy clay, and tilling in tons of organic matter makes the beds 
workable faster. In a sandy soil, a tiller isn't necessary at all...you can 
incorporate organic matter by hand.

After tilling for a couple of years, I double dig and incorporate more 
organic matter at least 2 shovels deep. I know, people say that the worms 
will do that for me, but I can't wait that long.  After double digging, I 
continue to  add organic matter as mulch or cover crop, and use a broadfork 
to loosen the soil, a la Elliot Coleman. Once you've double dug a bed, it's 
easy to work and very productive.

Lynn Wigglesworth
Tioga Co. PA