Get matched with top rototilling pros in Clinton, ME

Yes, it’s always a good idea to fertilize your lawn before a major leveling project. This step gives your grass the nutrients necessary for healthy growth, helping it recover and replenish itself faster. However, you should do this at least three weeks in advance, as the leveling process can disturb the newly-applied fertilizer.

Yes, you can rent a rototiller for around $60 per day and do the work yourself, but it’s not recommended. Tilling is more of an art than a science, as tilling too deep can be detrimental to your soil structure and the organic matter that is beneficial to plants and shrubs, and tilling too shallow won’t properly introduce fertilizer or break up the soil for rooting plants. Additionally, tillers are powerful machines with sharp blades to cut through small roots and soil, so they are inherently dangerous to use. It’s usually worth it to hire a professional rototiller.

Many ways to landscape a steep slope on a budget exist. Avoiding expensive retaining wall construction is the first step. Consider creating a rocky slope with boulders or large stones, or think about planting perennials that return every year with a single investment. Transplanting small trees from elsewhere on your property is also possible and can help to stabilize steep slopes without purchasing new ones. 

The average cost to have rototilling done on your property is around $250, and most homeowners pay between $100 and $350. The total for your rototilling project will depend on the area you need tilled, the quality of the soil, how many roots and shrubs are in the area, and the accessibility of the area. Anything that increases the time to till your soil—like hard clay soil, small entrances to the area that require the use of smaller tools, and roots running through the ground—will all increase your costs.