Beginner Gardening: Tilling Question, 1 by DavParf

DavParf wrote:
Hi Everyone -- Need advice. I have a small 3x3 bed in my fron yard with some old shrubs and a bougainvillea bush. I want to rip out the old bushes and fix the soil, its currently hard and clay. I'd like to plant something to replace the old stuff.

My question is, how close to the base of the bougainvillea trunk can I come with my mantis tiller? I don't want to kill the bougainvillea but need to cultivate the soil for better drainage and for other plants. See the picture attached.

Thanks!
Dave