The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: Midas on May 02, 2016, 08:11:41 pm

Title: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: Midas on May 02, 2016, 08:11:41 pm
Hi everyone,
I am hoping to harrow my field in a couple of weeks, what should conditions be like underfoot beforehand?  The field isn't sopping wet, but in a couple of areas my footprint is visible when I walk on it.  Haven't seen anyone else harrowing yet?

Any ideas?  :)
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 02, 2016, 08:16:46 pm
would it be a power harrow or a chain harrow?
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: Midas on May 02, 2016, 08:28:26 pm
A chain harrow.
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 02, 2016, 08:32:52 pm
There was an article done on this ages ago, http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=34454.0 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=34454.0)
hope this helps. :)
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: Midas on May 03, 2016, 03:05:26 pm
Thank you
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: pgkevet on May 03, 2016, 04:12:19 pm
..just chained my driest field today. I can do 1/2 of another but the other 2.5 fields are still too wet.
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: bazzais on May 04, 2016, 09:50:31 am
I'm on my third time around chain harrowing now :)

Depends on what condition it is really, some of the fields that are being done for moss are done on a dry afternoon after a spot of rain the day before.  Since I am using a landrover with road tyres the grass has to be dry and the soil pretty solid but 'dampish'.  The fields that have new grass coming through the 'burnt' tall fallen grasses has to be done when its bone dry or it skips across the top.

Its always better harrowing against the dominant wind - so this means I have to go round twice with opposite patterns.

Ta

Barry
Title: Re: Best time for harrowing.
Post by: Hellybee on May 04, 2016, 11:07:14 am
Sort me out with a vehicle that has a decent gear stick n I ll do the rest for you  :innocent: :roflanim: