How to Break Up Plowed Soil

Traditional methods of plowing turn about 8 inches of soil, leaving behind large clumps. This method is effective for weed control and for burying manure, but not for protecting the soil from water erosion. Farmers commonly use the Coulter disk or the moldboard plow for primary tillage. Secondary tillage is necessary to break up the clumps and protect the soil. Protecting the productive layer of the soil, the humus, is critical to agricultural production.

Tractor
Disk plow
Spike-tooth harrows
Rolling basket

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the disk plow blade to your tractor. The attachment depends on the model of your disc plow: one-way, two-way, wheel-mounted pull hitch or three-point hitch types. The disk plow is more effective than the chisel plow in breaking up clumps of soil because it doesn't enter the soil as deeply.
- 2
  Drag the plow over the primary tilled area. You may need several passes to break up the larger clumps. Don't worry if some small clumps still are present.
- 3
  Remove the disk plow and attach the spike-tooth harrows. These harrows are rigid and more effective at breaking up clods than spring-tooth and wire-tooth harrows. Make as many passes as necessary to break up most of the clumps.
- 4
  Remove the spike-tooth harrows and attach the rolling basket. The rolling basket will take care of any remaining clumps while slightly packing the soil in preparation for planting.

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