I have been gardening for 58 years. I used conventional farming methods in New Mexico and Arizona for over 20 years. I continued this way in Missouri until 2011. Now I use heirloom seeds, I don't use pesticides, and I don't use commercial fertilizer. I use the 'Back to Eden' method with some changes to make it work here in the Midwest. I don't use a tiller at all. The only tools I use are hand tools. I have broad forked most of the garden a couple of times. I use worm castings with manure fertilizer plus bone and blood meal. The soil gets better every year.