A method and apparatus for drying soil wherein a soil drying machine is adapted to traverse an area of soil and to dry the soil in the process. The soil drying machine includes a main frame having an air generating device, such as a blower, and a heater mounted thereon. A system of heated air is generated on the soil drying machine and directed downwardly into engagement with the soil being dried. Forming a part of the soil drying machine is a tilling implement. From time-to-time the tilling implement can be lowered and engaged with the soil so as to till the soil prior to the soil being subjected to the heated air, or after the soil has been subjected to the heated air. The soil drying machine may be in the form of a self-propelled unit or a pull-type unit configured to be pulled by a tractor.