To Till or Not to Till

Turning the soil over each year is an old tradition. The major benefits attributed to annual tilling are that it aerates the soil; chops and kills weeds; and mixes in organic materials, fertilizers, and lime. According to Fine Gardening magazine, tilling is one chore you might get to skip:

Over time, undug soils also build up a permanent system of various-size pores and channels that can move water up, down, and sideways, thus leading to more efficient water use. Churning the soil disrupts earthworms, fungi, and other soil flora and fauna, as well. Undug soils are also better able to maintain humus...