Montygirl - you may be able to get a lower-priced tiller on eBay. I bought a refurbished Mantis 2-cycle tiller on eBay for I think $275 or so. It's worked out pretty good - it's like a chainsaw engine with a few tiller blades on it. Anyway - renting is also good like mentioned above. For certain stuff, you can dig a hole in your grass and just grow it within a hole. Some web sites talk about that. Or, build a "raised" bed - with some 2"x6" boards and fill it with dirt - make them about 4' by 8' in size. Look up "raised bed" and also "edible landscaping" on google for ideas. A raised bed is a good way to start and no need for tilling! Some of the Amish farmers around me use railroad ties as the border of their raised beds which is their "personal family garden" - the farm is for selling produce at market.