Plow With Two Row Cultivators

Once you have your garden planted, you have several choices for controlling weeds and conditioning the soil around your plants. If you are fortunate enough to have a tractor and suitable implements, plowing is an efficient, and chemical-free method. Here is a guide to using two-row cultivators for plowing. Note: Plow can also be spelt plough.

Steps

 * 1)  Plant your garden so that the rows are spaced suitable for cultivating with the equipment you have available. If you are growing a small patch of vegetables, using a tiller or hoe is probably more efficient and practical.
 * 2)  [[Image:Plowing26_707.jpg|thumb|Get out early, while it is cool]]Get an early start.  Moisture is essential for good cultivation, and the cooler morning hours are often more pleasant for this work.
 * 3)  [[Image:Plowing2_195.jpg|thumb|Properly spaced plows for rows at 36 inch centers]]Set your plows to the appropriate spacing.  For newly emerging plants, you will want to cultivate fairly close to keep moisture near the plants' roots, while also keeping weeds from coming up in the furrows.  For larger plants, the plows can be respaced so they don't damage the spreading root systems of your plants.
 * 4)  [[Image:Plowing1_795.jpg|thumb|Plows on the cultivator tool bar all at the same depth]]Make sure the plow points are at the correct depth.  Since plows are ganged on the cultivator tool bar, each one needs to be set so that it works in a complementary manner with the adjacent plows.  Often, the middle plow, which plows the center between rows, is set ahead, or forward, of the sweeps, which run alongside the crop being cultivated.
 * 5)  [[Image:Plowing3_3.jpg|thumb|Individual plows can be set at different pitch and depth]]Set the pitch of your plows.  This is the angle the plow point engages the soil, and having it pitched forward will throw less soil in the planting furrow. Having it pitched back will throw more, piling a hill of soil around the base of your plants.
 * 6)  [[Image:Plowing10_711.jpg|thumb|Tractors' tire spacing can be adjusted; this is a front axle view]]Space the tractor tires properly for the crop you are planting. Tractor wheels can be adjusted for different widths, so for plowing rows at 36 inches on center, the width of the tires should be 72 inches, so you don't track too close to the roots of your plants.
 * 7)  [[Image:Plowing18_441.jpg|thumb|Sway chains keep the implement aligned with the tractor]]Adjust your sway chains or sway bars so they have enough free travel to allow the plows to follow the path of your rows. For fixed frame tool bars, any turn of the tractor's wheels will cause the tool bar to react in the opposite direction, and will result in the plows entering the row of your crop.
 * 8)  [[Image:Plowing16_601.jpg|thumb|Plows set about 6 inches deep for plowing corn]]Set the depth of your plows at the correct level. For soil that becomes tightly compacted, you need to allow the plows to run deep enough for the soil at the root level of your plants to be loosened.  This allows moisture to percolate down to the roots and makes it easier for the root system to develop. For light, sandy soils, plowing too deeply will allow the moisture to percolate too quickly, and also allow fertilizer to be leached away from your plant's roots.
 * 9)  [[Image:Plowing24_293.jpg|thumb|It is time to plow when weeds become a problem]][[Image:Plowing13_545.jpg|thumb|Darker soil is evidence of moisture where it is disturbed]]Plow at appropriate times.  You will want your plants to be large enough that the soil displaced into the furrow will not cover them, but the greatest benefit will be gained when weeds are still small enough to be covered or plowed up (pulled from the soil by the plows) and killed. Make sure there is sufficient moisture in the soil before plowing.  The hilling effect of plowing will help build up soil over the plant's root system, keeping more moisture available to them, but plowing in very dry weather will break soil crust and loosen the soil, so any moisture present will evaporate quickly. Plowing just before a rainfall will not kill weeds as effectively, either, since the rain will likely give them an opportunity to reroot before they die.
 * 10)  [[Image:Plowing5_539.jpg|thumb|Travel slow when plowing near young plants to prevent covering them with dirt]]Run at a speed which gives the desired results.  Just as pitching the plows causes soil to be thrown at varying amounts, speed also effects this process.  Faster speeds will cause more soil to be thrown in the furrow.
 * 11)  [[Image:Plowing11_25.jpg|thumb|The bolts in the front axle align with the row so the plows are centered properly]]Locate the tractor wheels in the center between your rows.  Many farm tractors have a guide point on the frame so the wheels travel in such a way that the plows are spaced correctly between the furrows.
 * 12)  [[Image:Plowing33_723.jpg|thumb|Patience and care should be exercised when plowing crooked rows]]Steer carefully so you do not plow up your crop.  Planting perfectly straight rows on level ground is the ideal way to do this, but if you have curving rows, or simply planted carelessly, paying attention to steering the tractor will prevent losing part of your crop.
 * 13)  [[Image:Plowing14_820.jpg|thumb|Nutgrass accumulating on a plow]]Pull any weeds and debris from your plow points as needed, since they can accumulate and cause the soil to build up on the plows, resulting in the crop plants being covered from the overflow of soil.
 * 14)  [[Image:Plowing22_328.jpg|thumb|Tracks are evidence a deer has visited the garden]]Take time to look at what is going on in the field while you are working.  Many people garden and farm on a small scale simply to enjoy the benefits of being outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  You may be surprised by the wildlife and wildflowers you see while out in the garden.

Tips

 * This article describes working a field where the row spacing is 36 inches apart. This distance varies depending on the crop and preference of the person planting it, so the plow spacing and tractor wheel spacing may be adjusted to fit different distances between rows.
 * It is helpful to have an assistant to help gauge the depth of the plows and remove debris from them.
 * Learn specific needs regarding the plants you are growing. Some, like corn, establish large feeder root systems and can be damaged by plowing too closely to the plants, others, like beans and peas, will do better if the soil around the roots is loose and unpacked so the root systems can breath.
 * [[Image:Plowing34_914.jpg|thumb|No-till farming in practice, the straw left from a previous crop acts as mulch.]]Practice environmentally friendly growing techniques where possible. No-till farming causes less soil erosion, and requires less chemicals and fuel to produce a successful crop.

Warnings

 * Never operate a tractor under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when you are otherwise not capable of doing so safely. This includes OTC medications which may cause drowsiness, as the slow, monotonous speed may cause you to fail to remain alert.

Things You'll Need

 * Tractor
 * Cultivator tool bar
 * Plows (ploughs)
 * Row crop planted on correct centers.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Maintain a Tractor
 * How to Plant With Two Row Planters
 * How to Grow Your Own Food
 * How to Practice Sustainable Agriculture
 * How to Start an Organic Garden