Ox Drawn Plow Creating Ridges to Plant Potatoes

After the fields have been plowed and disced the next planting of crops can begin. To plant potatoes, ridging needs to be done. Also called “earthing up” it mounds the soil. It can be done with a tractor attachment; however, it is sometimes easier to rent an ox plow. Ridging enables the potato plants to stay upright as they grow and also facilitates keeping weeds and pests which damage the potatoes. After the ridging is complete the women will begin planting.