Soil harrowing: how best to do it

Harrowing consists of breaking up clumps of soil and levelling the soil surface, creating ideal conditions for seeds to germinate and plants to develop their roots.

In the past, this operation was turned point with rudimentary tools such as woven tree branches, heavy wooden planks with stones or simple iron rakes pulled by animals. These methods, while effective for the time, required considerable physical effort and offered limited results.

Today, thanks to technological innovation, harrowing tools have become increasingly advanced and efficient. Modern harrows, towed by tractors or equipped with mechanised rotating systems, enable perfectly honed and levelled soil to be achieved with less time and energy. Let us take a detailed look at what harrowing is, what tools are used and how best to perform this operation.

What is soil harrowing?

Harrowing is a complementary work to ploughing that focuses on the surface layers of the soil. After the plough has turned over the clods, the harrow intervenes to:

- Break up the larger clods;

- Level the soil surface;

- Eliminate weeds;

- Break up the surface crust

These actions prepare an optimal seed bed, promoting uniform germination and healthy crop growth. Therefore, harrowing offers numerous agronomic benefits:

- Improved soil structure: by breaking up clods, a finer texture is achieved, which facilitates root penetration.

- Weed control: the action of the harrow helps eradicate unwanted weeds, reducing competition for nutrients and water.

- Moisture conservation: by breaking up the surface crust, water absorption is promoted and evaporation is reduced.

- Uniform seedbed preparation: levelled soil ensures even seed distribution and consistent germination.

How to carry out harrowing correctly

To get the best results from harrowing, it is important to follow certain guidelines:

- Timing: perform harrowing when the soil has adequate moisture; soil that is too wet or too dry can compromise the effectiveness of the operation.

- Working depth: adjust the harrow to work superficially, generally within the first 10-15 cm of the soil.

- Forward speed: Maintain a constant speed appropriate to the soil conditions and the type of harrow used.

- Equipment maintenance: ensure that the harrow is in good working condition, with clean and well-lubricated components.


Following these practices will ensure effective harrowing. Afterwards, other operations such as sowing or fertilising can be carried out.

Types of harrows with which to harrow

Various harrow models are available on the market, designed to meet various agricultural requirements:

- Disc harrow: equipped with toothed or smooth discs, ideal for tenacious soils and for surface stirring action.

- Tine harrow: equipped with rigid or elastic tines, used for finishing the seedbed and removing weeds.

- Rotary harrow: driven by the tractor's power take-off, it offers effective mechanical action for soil refinement.


Rotary harrows are appreciated for their ability to work the soil without inverting soil layers, preserving soil structure and biodiversity.

How to choose the right harrow

The choice of the right harrow depends on several factors, including:

- Type of soil: hard, compact soils require rotary harrows, while soft, moist soils require tine harrows.

- Soil size: soil size influences the choice of harrow width.

- Type of cultivation: some crops require deeper harrowing than others.For example, crops with deep roots, such as sugar beet, potatoes and carrots, need well-ventilated soil with a deep structure to allow the roots to develop properly.

For example, crops with deep roots, such as sugar beet, potatoes and carrots, need well-ventilated soil with a deep structure to allow the roots to develop properly.

In contrast, crops with shallow roots, such as cereals (wheat, barley, maize, etc.) and leguminous crops (bean, pea, etc.). do not need deep harrowing, as their roots develop mainly in the upper layers of soil.

We emphasise that these are only general indications and that the depth of harrowing may vary depending on various factors, such as soil type, climatic conditions and specific crop requirements.

The power harrows designed by Zanon are ideal for a wide range of uses, ranging from private use to small farms and gardening operations.

These harrows can be fitted with rear rollers of different types to adapt to specific soil conditions.

In addition, they can be equipped with a seed drill for grass and small legumes, thus offering a versatile and complete tillage solution.

Want to know more about our harrows? Contact your nearest dealer.