The invention provides a mechanical apparatus to assist cotton harvesters in suppressing in-row weed growth and/or feeding cotton into the row unit of the cotton harvester using a rotating weed reel. The weed reel comprises a frame assembly, a rotatable shaft coupled to the frame assembly, and protruding rods extending outwardly from the shaft so as to contact the ground between the in-row cotton plants and deflect weeds and debris out of a desired area.