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Bristol R.I. USA

Okay here goes I got a big issue with water pooling in certain parts of the patch. The addition of sand has helped with drainage issues however the patch has a slight tilt to it and the rain water seems to run around certain areas that lead right into the patch. I've thought of installing a cheap french drain system. Basically digging the trench and dropping the drilled piping inside of it then burying it. Nothing to spectacular but something that will direct the water away from ythe patch and High water table. I have found little info pertaining to this on the sight and would like some feedback from anyone expiriencing such high levels of water after the smallest rains. I have a clay type soil however its getting better with every application of sand and gypsum. Every year ityt gets better. After these rains the patch seems to get compacted as the water drains. any thoughts.

10/20/2012 11:38:40 AM

Omaha, Ne.

how about a pump and a 300gal tote (or 2)

10/20/2012 12:14:09 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Kenny, make sure you have good grade on your tile so there are no low spots that will hold water. The deeper you get your tile, the farther away it will drain the soil. In this area for field crops we try to get the tile 3' to 4' deep. We use 4" minimun diameter corrugated plastic tile for fields,but 3" will work OK for a garden. Make sure you get good drainage away from the outlet and protect it with a piece of heavy pvc pipe so it doesn't get crushed. Placing some clean washed gravel over the tile will help drainage. You might want to consider placing lines around 50' apart, or closer if you don't get real deep. You don't want any water loving trees like willows within 200' of your tile, or their roots can plug up the tile.

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CUT ANY BURIED PHONE, ELECTRIC OR OTHER LINES. CALL YOUR STATE'S ONE CALL SYSTEM.

Your local Extension or NRCS office might be able to give you more advice.

10/20/2012 1:21:34 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

You need to have enough slope so that you bring the water to the surface downhill from your patch. If you don't have enough slope you will have to run the tile into a buried sump and then pump it to the surface. If you don't get the water out of the tile it will make the soil even wetter. If surface runoff from other areas runs over your patch you might be able to divert it with swales or low ridges that you can keep mowed.

10/20/2012 1:36:41 PM