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Soil Structure & Cucumbers

> I suppose that I could trellis the cukes and do everything in 3'
>beds.  Hmmm.  

Yes, I highly recommend trellising cucumbers. I've done it ever since I
first tried it. They are long and straight and easy to find and very space
efficient. They like mulch too, as it helps heep their feet cool and moist.
There's perhaps no vegetable that benefits more from ample water.


>  Yes, I destroy the soil structure every time I till. 
>But the worms seem to enjoy recreating it for me!

Interesting comment. My loamy soil compacts and sinks over the winter. After
tilling, the beds are raised rather than sunken. You can easily sink your
hand in up to your wrist. I think I get far better tilth after rototilling.

Rototilling does destroy the wicking connection with the earth, which can
help the topsoil dry out. It can create a hardpan at the bottom of the
tiller depth. It can, and often does, yield alot of clods when done to early
and wet. It does destroy a lot of earthworms.

It does give the gardener a jump on the weeds.

Eric
Portland Oregon
Zone 8
80 and sunny! Going to be tilling soon!
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