Scuffling is the action of running a shallow blade or tine just under the soil surface to sever weed roots without disturbing the deeper soil profile. It is typically done with a scuffle hoe (a push-pull hand tool) or a tractor-mounted cultivator equipped with sweeps. The technique kills young weed seedlings by exposing their roots to the sun while preserving soil moisture below the working depth.
Send the summer crew to scuffle the vegetable beds before those broadleaf weeds get established.
Related terms
Double hoe
A hand tool featuring a flat chopping blade on one side and cultivator prongs on the other.
Scarify
To mechanically break up the soil surface or to weaken a hard seed coat to encourage germination.
Plough
A heavy farm implement with a blade used to break up soil and cut furrows in preparation for sowing.