**6.2 Timing**

Strategic tillage involves careful timing of tillage based on in-field conditions, crop needs, and climate factors. For example, deep tillage may be most effective when soils are dry enough for shattering compaction but moist enough for aggregation reformation [26]. Strategic tillage is also matched to crop growth stages, like disrupting soil crusts prior to planting or clearing heavy residues after harvest. Overall, timing focuses on achieving the intended soil improvements when conditions allow for effective, minimally disruptive tillage.
