The no-till farming method is driven by the desire to preserve more precious topsoil, which can quickly erode from cropland due to both water and wind erosion. No-till farming is just one technique you can use to help preserve the precious topsoil and increase the nutrients in your soil. Here are three pieces of farming equipment that work well with no-till farming.
Equipment #1: Flail Mower
One of the first pieces of equipment you should consider purchasing is a flair mower. A flail mower is designed to break up old crop cover into very little pieces. It is almost like a super mulching machine. It breaks up the old crop into tiny pieces, which you can then rake and mix with the topsoil in order to create a nice, thick natural compost layer that will provide your new crop with a really nice area to thrive in.
Equipment #2: Slicer-Planter
Another great piece of equipment is a slicer-planter machine. If you have direct seed crops, you need to get the seeds through the layer of mulch on your fields. A slicer planter is a two for one machine. It will break up the cover crop for you, clearing the way for a new crop. At the same time, it will plant your seeds in the soil, hence the name, slicer-planter. It slices through the old coverage and puts down your new harvest at the same time.
Equipment #3: Roller-Crimper
One of the most important pieces of equipment for a no-till garden is a roller or crimper. With a no-till garden, you are always starting with a cover crop that provides mulch and nutrients to the soil, allowing the new crop to thrive.
This piece of equipment is designed to kill the cover crop and cut it down right at the stem of the crop. The machine allows the crop to be killed in place. By killing the crop in place, the crop's roots are not pulled out of the ground. Additionally, moisture is not pulled away from the soil either. This creates an ideal situation for your new crop to thrive. A roller-crimper is a great tool for preparing a new plot.
When it comes to switching to a no-till method, which is great for the Earth and for your crops, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. A flail mower, slicer-planter, and roller-crimper are three useful tools for this type of gardening.
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