Harrows have many purposes, but for organic farmers, they can be a good source of blind cultivation. Shortly after planting, and before crop emergence, harrows can break up topsoil, killing weeds germinating at shallow depths and giving the crop a head start when it emerges.

In this video, PFI farmers share their experience with when and how they use harrows in organic corn and soybean production to control weeds; they discuss the importance of timing; and how changing the settings of a harrow affects the job it’ll do.

Learn more about organic weed control:
Seedbed Preparation and Planting:    • Seedbed Preparation and Planting  Or...  
Crop Rotation and Weed Suppression:    • Crop Rotation for Weed Suppression  ...  
Rotary Hoes:    • Rotary Hoes  Organic Weed Control  
Tine Weeders:    • Tine Weeders  Organic Weed Control  
Should I Replant?:    • Should I Replant?  Organic Weed Control  
Cultivation First Pass Organic Weed Control:    • Cultivation  First Pass  Organic We...  
Cultivation Equipment Organic Weed Control:    • Cultivation  Equipment  Organic Wee...  

For more information about Practical Farmers of Iowa, and to see our upcoming field days, our latest research reports and a blog loaded with practical information about farming, visit our website: https://practicalfarmers.org/