Growers drag soil from the row middles and mound it against plant stems using specialized cultivator sweeps or hoes. This technique suppresses weeds, improves drainage around the root zone, and supports tall, top-heavy crops like corn. For root crops like potatoes, it prevents the developing tubers from turning green and toxic upon exposure to sunlight.
Heard on the job
The potatoes are pushing up fast, so get the tractor hooked up for hilling before the tubers break the surface.
Also heard as
- earthing up
- Earth up
- hill up