Get matched with top rototilling pros in Jal, NM

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.

Yard grading is a key component of proper drainage because runoff naturally moves with respect to gravity. If you have low spots in your yard, rain and snowmelt will settle there and oversaturate the soil, promoting root rot and fungal growth. If the low spots are near your home’s foundation, you could even end up with foundation leaks or structural damage due to poor yard grading.

You should exercise care when deciding how to landscape over a leach field for your septic system. You typically want lightweight materials that won’t damage the drain field’s perforated pipes. When adding plants to the area, select plants with shallow roots, such as grass or flower gardens. Trees with deep roots could damage the pipes in the field.

Pea gravel is hands down a top pick for managing landscape drainage.  These small stones allow water to flow through easily by creating natural gaps that promote runoff. Beyond functionality, pea gravel also offers visual versatility. Homeowners will find a range of earthy tones like gray, brown, blue, and even red, making it easy to match with different outdoor styles and plantings.