Once the grain harvest is over, it is time to plan for next year’s crop. The field may be ploughed in the autumn or be left over the winter until spring. The stubble provides a good winter feeding ground for birds.

Ploughing means turning over the soil to bury the remains of the previous crop and any weeds. The plough leaves straight furrows of bare earth behind it.

The furrows are broken down with disc harrows to make a level, lump-free bed for the tiny new seeds to be planted in.

Glossary
Stubble – stalks of a crop left after harvesting
A plough – a piece of equipment that cuts into and turns over soil
Furrows – the ridges left by a plough
Disc harrows – equipment used to break up lumps of soil