Use I-Beam or Feurst Harrow during first hard frost. Under dry conditions a para plow may have real merit even under a ridge till system. B. Spring tillage practices are critical to weatherproofing your crop. Do not haul manure on wet soils. Avoid working soils under wet conditions.
Compaction impedes root growth.
Work soils only enough to get good soil-seed contact. Save extra trips for mechanical weed control Work soils shallow in the spring. If soil is very rough after fall tillage, work soil as soon as dry enough to avoid compaction. Soil mulch breaks capillary action and reduces soil moisture loss. Rough soil surface worked late will have dry pockets and cause uneven plant emergence.