KFLAgri - 5/2/2026 10:19
I'm on heavy clay soils and a field cultivator is what I use and is the most common spring tool in my area. "Fit" to me is when I can pull the cultivator at target depth without bringing up those cold wet gooey lumps of crap. Fellow clay farmers will know what I mean. Those lumps bake in the sun and turn to cement and then become nearly impossible to deal with. If I can bring up loose soil and when I grab a handful and squeeze it doesn't turn to a mud ball then it's usually safe to go.
Same here in central mi. We have some sand spots where you can get away with murder and some muck too but 90% clay and it needs to crumble when worked or you’re in trouble.
If it’s too lumpy it needs to sit overnight and be hit again lightly. Worst thing you can do here it leave it chunky and then not get a good rain. | 
What is considered "fit" soil conditions
