What Is a Soil Turner?

Hand Tiller

• Hand tillers are commonly referred to as soil turners or garden claws. These instruments are generally about 3 feet long, with a handle at one end and three to four prongs at the other end. To use the tool, stab it into the ground and rotate. In this manner, the soil is turned and loosened, aerating it and decompacting it so that plants may better grow in it.

Compost Aerator

• Compost aerators are also referred to as soil turners and are actually similar to hand tillers. They are about the same length, but at the end, instead of prongs, it has two bits that resemble a wide auger or drill. This soil turner is designed to work with already soft but compacted soil and organic matter, aerating it and allowing room and oxygen for beneficial bacteria to healthily decompose the soil.

Engine Tiller

• Engine tillers are gas-powered tools that can range greatly in size for home and garden use. These tools turn the soil just as a hand tiller does, but they can cover more ground more quickly than hand tilling in most cases. These tools are not effective in small spaces and are better suited for use when laying down a new lawn or starting a vegetable garden.

Compost Tumbler

• Compost tumblers, also referred to as compost bins or compost turners, are another tool often referred to as soil turners. This tool serves a slightly different purpose than other soil turners. It is used to store compost and has a mechanism that allows the user to rotate the compost, thus aerating the compost in the bin quickly and without too much effort. This helps hasten the rate of composting, creating a rich soil that can be added to the yard for healthier plants.