Strawberry Cultivation

[Mark Henderson]

This spring I set out 1 acre of strawberries. I tried cultivating with two different implements. The first implement used was a borrowed one row three point hitch spike tooth harrow, the second implement used was my own Ferguson one row SKO-20. I prefer the one row three point hitch spike tooth harrow. It seems to just comb through the soil without bringing up weed seeds. The problem is the spike tooth harrow is a homemade implement and I can't find anyone to replicate it locally. I was wondering if anyone knows if they made the spike tooth harrow implement commercially? Or if someone would have other suggestions on how to cultivate my berries that would work the soil like the spike tooth harrow did. Any suggestions or photographs would be helpful.

 

[jackinok]

try looking for a WEEDER, specifically a rod weeder. that may do what you need, and yes just about every equipment manufacturer has made spike harrows over the years. how far apart are your rows? lots of places these are called section harrows,or harrow sections, because they generally came in 4-5foot wide sections and you added more or less together to fit your needs.

 

[jackinok]

oh ,theres a reason why folks dont really replicate them much,its because they dont have the punches and things needed to cut the hole most of the tines go into.since the tines are hardened steel simply welding one on a pipe or something ruins it most of the time.I have seen dozens of them made out of railroad spikes though.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Around here, they use a 3 point hitch implement, that has several 12" rototillers, driven by a common shaft. The tillers are adjustable, to move side to side, to accommodate different row widths. Don't know the name of the maker, but google is your friend.

 

[jackinok]

Also if a spike harrow suits you,try looking at one of the chain or flex harrows sold at tsc and those places. Same principal involved just in a newer style. Hold on to your pocket book if your trying to find an old spike harrow section around here.Last section i saw sell that wasnt bent all to pieces brought $250 for a single five foot section.They look very simple,and they are but they are very expensive to maintain. Which is why most folks have gotten away from them. When the spikes wear out they are not real expensive to buy but theres a ton of them,and often you have more in it than a new one cost.Not to mention all the time and labor. wish i still had one though,dad wrapped the last one around a rear tractor tire when he got to where he couldnt see well.Some thing else that may work for you if a spike harrow does is a rotary hoe.they can be bought pretty cheaply most of the time and work well for popping out weeds if they are small,and breaking up the crust.

 

[Leroy]

Are you looking for spike sections that are about 1-1 1/2" wide that atached to the shanks of a cultivator and just worked between the row?

 

[Fergienewbee]

Around here--SW Nichigan--they aren't too expensive. A 3-section on CL is offered for $250.00 and a smaller on $150.00. I hope to find one too.

Larry

 

[Mark Henderson]

This is the implement that does the best job. Can someone tell me where I would find one like this? Or offer suggestions on another implement that would do the job as well as this?

 

[Leroy]

That is made by using walking garden tractor cultivators. Frame and shanks from 3 units

 

[Bret4207]

You should be able to weld one of those up for a few buck. It's just a crude 3 pt version of a walking cultivator or "horse hoe". If you build one, make the width adjustable.