It’s official. Ploughing is good for soil OM!

[Kiwi Pete]

But it gave all the mouldboards a nice warm glow for a month

 

[Warnesworth]

But it gave all the mouldboards a nice warm glow for a month

That's ok though because they are probably quite cold from sitting around in all that mud....

 

[Y Fan Wen]

All land destined for spring cropping needs ploughing in reasonable conditions before Christmas to give it the chance of a good frost mould, before drilling it.

What are the chances of getting a good frost mould in the future?
Only seen a bit of cat ice in the frost hollows so far this year. Should I have said that, hostage to fortune?

 

[Two Tone]

What are the chances of getting a good frost mould in the future?
Only seen a bit of cat ice in the frost hollows so far this year. Should I have said that, hostage to fortune?

I'm always amazed in those years where we get few, if any frosts how well spring seedbeds can be obtained, as long as it was ploughed in good conditions pre Xmas.

However, the more frost you get, the better and easier it is to get a good start in the spring. Here, it can break up even the heaviest of land into sugar lump sized clods.

Leaving plough until just before you want to drill it, often ends up forcing the seedbed and consequently, a poorer germination.

It might be a different kettle of fish where you are, though. Or if you happen to farm lighter (boys) land.

 

[jpd]

for some reason here in irl we are interdicted from ploughing until 1st of dec,which almost inevitably rules out winter ploughing.no one seems to know the reason why

 

[Y Fan Wen]

I'm always amazed in those years where we get few, if any frosts how well spring seedbeds can be obtained, as long as it was ploughed in good conditions pre Xmas.

However, the more frost you get, the better and easier it is to get a good start in the spring. Here, it can break up even the heaviest of land into sugar lump sized clods.

Leaving plough until just before you want to drill it, often ends up forcing the seedbed and consequently, a poorer germination.

It might be a different kettle of fish where you are, though. Or if you happen to farm lighter (boys) land.

Negligible amount of ploughing here and none in the Autumn. Most cultivation is spraying off pp and slot seeding turnip, rape and then slot seeding a grass mix the following year.