Preparing Your Garden for Planting: A NorthPoint NH Homeowner’s Guide

Clear Old Growth and Debris

• Remove existing vegetation: Pull weeds and remove old plants, vines, or shrubs from last season. Dispose of roots, fallen branches, and leaf litter – this makes tilling much easier.

• Use power tools for overgrowth: Rent a brush cutter (rotary mower) or brush hog attachment to clear thick weeds or brambles. For example, NorthPoint’s Kubota Rotary Cutter brush-cutter rental is built for “overgrown fields, thick brush, [and] tall grass” – it powers through tough vegetation so you can reclaim wild patches quickly.

• Handle small debris: For smaller sticks and lawn debris, a wood chipper or heavy-duty walk-behind mower can chop up trimmings for mulch. A sturdy landscape rake or leaf blower will gather remaining debris into piles for easy disposal.

When clearing brush or grass, heavy-duty equipment makes light work. For dense weeds, NorthPoint offers brush cutter rentals like the Kubota Rotary Cutter shown above – a commercial-grade mower that easily slices through overgrowth. Even on a residential lot, you can tow a brush-hog on a compact tractor rental for maximum reach. As you work, be sure to wear safety gear and clear obstacles (rocks, hoses, etc.) out of your path. A clean, debris-free area is the first step to a great garden.

Till the Soil Thoroughly

Once the site is cleared, it’s time to break up and loosen the soil – especially in NH’s dense clay or compacted dirt. A rear-tine tiller rental is ideal for this tough job: NorthPoint’s Honda 8HP “GroundBreaker 20” tiller delivers reliable power to tear through compacted soil and clay. With its deep-penetrating rear tines and adjustable depth control, it turns stubborn earth into loose, aerated soil in just minutes.

For example, the Honda 8HP rear-tine tiller (pictured above) is built to “slice through compacted soil, clay, and sod with ease,” leaving you “a finely tilled seedbed ready for planting”. To use it effectively, move the tiller forward slowly in a straight line, then make a second pass at a right angle to level any ridges. On very large or rocky areas, consider a compact tractor rental instead. A Kubota L4060 (40 HP) tractor can pull a heavy-duty tiller or box blade attachment to grade and turn even bigger plots. In short, whether by tractor or rear-tine tiller, the goal is to loosen every bit of ground where you plan to plant.

• Tilling tips: Wait until the soil is moist but not waterlogged (NH’s spring can vary); overly wet soil can “gum up” a tiller. Make at least two perpendicular passes to fully break clods. Adjust the tiller’s depth regulator for about 4–6 inches of tilling (NorthPoint’s tillers have user-friendly depth control).

• Organic amendments: As you till, sprinkle in compost or balanced fertilizer. Tilling these into the top 6–8 inches of soil ensure even distribution of nutrients.

By the end of this step, your ground should be loose and crumbly – the perfect base for planting.

Level, Amend, and Finish Prep

• Rake and level: Use a landscape or Harley rake (available at NorthPoint) to smooth out the freshly tilled soil. These rakes are “ideal for leveling soil, removing debris, and prepping for seeding or sod”. Drag the rake across the area to break up any remaining clumps, bury small rocks, and create an even surface.

• Soil amendments: If needed, add one more layer of compost or topsoil and mix it in. This is a good time to test pH or soil quality (NH State extension recommends lime for very acidic soils, and well-aged compost for heavy clay).

• Remove old lawn (optional): If your new garden replaces an old lawn strip, NorthPoint also rents sod cutters. A sod cutter slices under the grass layer so you can roll it up and remove it quickly. (This is far faster than digging out lawn by hand.)

• Edge beds: Once level, consider installing edging or raised bed borders. Rented power edgers or small tractors with box blades can give a clean edge along walkways or flower beds.

By now your garden bed should be flat, enriched, and ready to accept seed or transplants. The tilled soil will settle a bit, so you may want to let it sit a day or two or walk it down gently before planting.

Planting and Maintenance Prep

With soil prepped, go ahead and plant your garden. Follow planting guidelines for your specific crops (NH’s last frost date is often late May). Lay out rows or beds, sow seeds or plant starter plants at the proper spacing, and firm the soil around each plant. Water gently to settle the soil. Finally, spread mulch to conserve moisture and suppress new weeds.

• Equipment tip: NorthPoint also rents aerators and spreaders if you’re planting grass seed or laying sod. For example, a Billy Goat plug aerator or topdresser can give your new lawn a great start (see NorthPoint’s Landscaping category).

• Remember seasonal timing: In the Lakes Region and White Mountains, wait until after the danger of hard frost has passed before planting most vegetables or annuals.

At this point, your garden is ready to grow! Stand back and admire your work – you’ve done the heavy prep, and now it’s time to watch your plants sprout.

Why Rent from NorthPoint?

We’ve covered the steps, but the right equipment makes all the difference. NorthPoint Equipment Rentals is a family-owned, local NH company with deep experience helping homeowners and contractors tackle projects of any size. As one of Ashland’s top “equipment rentals in NH” shops, NorthPoint carries top brands (Honda, Kubota, Bobcat, etc.) in excellent condition.

Key benefits include:

•  Free Local Delivery within our local delivery zone: NorthPoint brings your gear right to your driveway at no extra charge.

• Family-owned service: You’ll get personal, friendly advice from owners who care about your project. NorthPoint is “a trusted, locally family-owned equipment rental company proudly serving Ashland, NH and the Lakes Region and Central NH”.

• 24/7 Online Booking: Reserve equipment any time of day on NorthPoint’s website – no need to call during business hours. This makes planning easy, even on a weekend.

• Flexible rental terms: Choose daily, weekend, weekly, or longer rentals to fit your schedule. (Several tools you might use – like compact tractors or tillers – are popular for multi-day jobs.)

“We had everything I needed to regrade my backyard,” raves a Meredith, NH customer about her landscaping rental. Whether it’s a tiller rental for turning garden soil or a compact tractor rental for major earth-moving, NorthPoint has you covered. Their equipment list even includes specialized items like brush cutters, mowers, and sod cutters – all the tools mentioned above are ready to go.

Ready to Get Growing?

Don’t let spring slip away! Book your garden-prep equipment online right now, or give us a call for advice. NorthPoint makes it easy: visit northpointrentals.com any time or dial (603) 375-4161 to reach our expert team. We’ll help you choose the right tiller, compact tractor, brush cutter, or landscaping tool for the job. With free local delivery and 24/7 online booking, NorthPoint will have your garden planting-ready in no time. Let’s get growing!