During two years the effects of various green manure crops and tillage regimes on an acid coal minesoil and a calcareous coal minesoil were analyzed with respect to a number of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Prior to initiation of the experiments, the acid minesoil had a poor cover of sericea lespedeza and KY-31 fescue whereas the calcareous minesoil had an excellent cover. Increased depth of tillage and incorporation of green manure crops plus lime additions (acid minesoil) tended to enhance minesoil productivity by improving some of the physical and chemical characteristics of these reclaimed surface-mined areas. It appeared that water infiltration was, directly or indirectly, the most influential factor affecting plant growth and minesoil properties.