We’ve noticed a specific trend on the forum over the last week: tilther -vs- BCS.

etakcm14 asks, “We are considering buying the tilther for this coming season, with the hope of drastically cutting down on our tilling. I know we'll have to have a fairly clean bed before using it, but I'm really excited about the prospect of taking out plant material, tilthing, and then immediately replanting without having to bring out the bcs or disturb anything under that first couple inches. So I'm wondering is anyone here using it successfully? Was it worth the investment?”

No doubt who would win in a robot cage fighting match, but for our purposes is comes down to—as it usually does—context. There was talk of intent, soil type, even the PDR attachment for the BCS. Here are more videos we [no]dug up on the subject:

You can type “tilther” into YouTube, or we could just do it for you [here]

Neversink on Tilther VS BCS

BCS PDR VS Power Harrow

I, Jackson, have both, so I felt like I could weigh in on the situation. If you feel like you could help shed some light on the delima for etakcm14, take a second to share your experience, because you could help a grower make a more informed decision. It’s that “across the fence” sort of sharing that makes this space, and the online small farm community, so great to be a part of.

If you search the term “tilther” in the forum, you’ll also see several other posts where it’s discussed, including: using it incorporate amendments, distinctions between low/no-till (read our take here), and Alex’s (Ace of Spades) beautiful breakdown of his bed prep routine… which has already informed my own bed prepping for the season!

Do you use a tilther? What’s your take on it? Do you have questions for those who have one? Let us know. Better yet, to the forum!

… and in the event of a robot cage match, my money is on the tilther. Always root for the underdog.

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