Tillage or not?

[Farmallh]

I've been reading up on the benefits of not tilling up your fields after you get your crop out. I have always done this, as did my father and grandfather. I know farming changes through the years. Do you or don't you and why?

 

[Birdie]

I don't till. Honest, I've never heard of tilling up the soil after harvest. I thought people only did it before planting in the spring. What are the benefits? Does it deter soil-borne pathogens or something?

 

[pseag]

I think some people do it to freshen the soil. We don't do it after either. We do it before we plant the new seeds. I do know others that do after. I don't really know the best way.

 

[MichaelS]

We till before we plant. I've seen other farmers plow after they take their crop out of the ground. I do think it helps move the nutrients around in the soil. I'm not sure if it is better to do after or before.