Converting pasture or lawn to annual beds is never easy. The most critical element is to eliminate perennial weeds. The importance of this cannot be overstated, and is lost on ‘Facebook permaculturists’. But any market gardener knows this.

We do our conversions without the use of a rotary hoe/rototiller. It takes time but the end result is far superior.

First step, kill off most existing plant life. We use plastic for four months.

Next involves forking…

…and removing any leftover plants.

Forking is very important because it decompresses and aerates the compacted soil. Again, it’s difficult to understate the importance of this process.

A broad fork can be purchased in New Zealand for around $300. We made our stainless steel broad forks for $100 each.

Fairly straightforward process involving some welding…

…and some threaded rod.

All ready to plant 2,000+ garlic over the next three weeks.

Peace, Estwing