Vegetable Plants – Depth of Roots

Q: How deep do roots go into the ground for tomatoes and most other vegetables in the home garden? I am thinking not very deep and if so why do I need to waste time and gas tilling the entire space?

A: Depth is not the problem – it’s width. Roots grow widely from the base of the stem of vegetables but they only grow as deeply as they can find usable oxygen. Tilling increases the area in which roots can expand. You should be mulching the area between plants to prevent weeds.