An intra-plant weeding apparatus to move along a row or line of plants (2B)is disclosed. The apparatus (1) has a support frame to connect to a prime mover (motor) to move the apparatus. A sensing member (6) is mounted from the frame, to contact and be deflected by the plant as the apparatus is moved. A sensor to senses the deflection and if the deflection is above a threshold it issues a signal to an actuator. There is a near ground member (10), such as a hoe, mounted from and moving with the frame. The near ground member is acted on by the actuator, so that when the threshold is met the near ground member moves to a first position away from the plant when immediately adjacent thereto, and then moves to a second position once past said plant. The result is the near ground member can treat ground or soil at or near a plant at least when in the second position, including disturbing any non-desired plants (2A) (weeds) on the ground, whilst moving away from and not disturbing the plant which is sensed and above the threshold when in the first position. The apparatus is also disclosed as optionally having two sensors and near ground member either side of the row to be weeded. Position information from GPS may be utilised. Other functions such as fertiliser application or mounding the soil along the row may also be performed.
