While this can hardly be described as good spring weather, land has soaked reasonably well in many areas and some growers are considering planting again when there is a spell of dry weather expected post planting. There has been a lot of ploughing done, but it is obvious that some of this will not be ready to work for a while yet, judging by its dark colour and glazed surface.

There is still quite an amount of ploughing to be done and perhaps some of this is destined for straight plough, till, sow establishment. This method requires more firming post planting to help avoid problems later, so it should really be fit for pressing and rolling when being planted. But that’s a guide for the conditions you need, not a recommendation to do these jobs in February.

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Tillage management: spring nitrogen

Tillage management: planting