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| in the situation you have described, I would first work to get the surface water to flow correctly as that is the least cost $ best return (from what you are describing). a couple of days work at the most w/ a scraper would have the surface water draining and solve "most" of the problem. For the best long-term solution you should then install tile to drain the subsurface free water as that is the water that limits production capacity in high clay soils.
Problem w/ tile is that too many believe that once installed, it solves everything. Unfortunately it doesn't. You still need to drain the surface water as soon as possible which means ditching(of some sort). Too many times I drive to town(5 miles) a day following a rain and see water ponded in the field right next to the road ditch and the only thing that is keeping it from getting to the road ditch is the ridge that was left the last time it was plowed, or the ridge left by the cultivator and/or disk from the spring. I am not being over critical, but so many times common sense cures the problem. Unfortunately(as someone asked me before), "What sense is common?"
best of luck and consulting w/ an local drainage contractor is always a good idea. | |
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Tile question
