Does water running on top worry you?

[tr250]

Does water running along the surface worry you? Pic below is in a place of the field that I would of said was dry under cultivation and I’ve no worries about being able to drill it in a few weeks time but just hate seeing it! That part of the field hasn’t got a modern drainage scheme installed I’m going to try mole draining it into the ditch in the summer

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Does water running along the surface worry you? Pic below is in a place of the field that I would of said was dry under cultivation and I’ve no worries about being able to drill it in a few weeks time but just hate seeing it! That part of the field hasn’t got a modern drainage scheme installed I’m going to try mole draining it into the ditch in the summer View attachment 1017099View attachment 1017100

Have you dug any trial holes to see what the soil under it is like?

 

[Badshot]

Looks to be a low area of the field so is the natural collection point. Water can only infiltrate so fast and if it rains hard enough will be taken downhill by gravity.

I laid a load of drains myself years ago, put them in areas like that, it's solved the problem at very little cost. I was near one yesterday, it wasn't running when I arrived, but it rained hard while there and within half an hour was running half bore. It's very satisfying.

 

[Nearly]

only on top of the mattress.

 

[David.]

There is plenty of shiny ground around here, on side of banks even. All I can say is the men paying the contracting bills appear to be happy enough.

 

[tr250]

Have you dug any trial holes to see what the soil under it is like?

Yes not today but I’m sure it is fairly dry 4 or 5 inches down. Should of said it was cover crop grazed by sheep so possibly surface compaction from sheep

 

[tr250]

Looks to be a low area of the field so is the natural collection point. Water can only infiltrate so fast and if it rains hard enough will be taken downhill by gravity.

I laid a load of drains myself years ago, put them in areas like that, it's solved the problem at very little cost. I was near one yesterday, it wasn't running when I arrived, but it rained hard while there and within half an hour was running half bore. It's very satisfying.

How close to the surface do you put the gravel? I was maybe thinking of installing a main drain so I could mole drain without reverseing back to the ditch every run

 

[Badshot]

How close to the surface do you put the gravel? I was maybe thinking of installing a main drain so I could mole drain without reverseing back to the ditch every run

Those drains are without gravel, about 21 inches deep max.

There's some videos on my youtube channel in my profile sig.

I have added a hopper to add gravel now, which goes to about 8-10 inches from the surface.

I'm intending to add some runs at the bottom of the fields so the dead end moles have somewhere to go.

 

[tr250]

Those drains are without gravel, about 21 inches deep max.

There's some videos on my youtube channel in my profile sig.

I have added a hopper to add gravel now, which goes to about 8-10 inches from the surface.

I'm intending to add some runs at the bottom of the fields so the dead end moles have somewhere to go.

Do you have a link to it or what do I search?

 

[Badshot]

Do you have a link to it or what do I search?

https://www.youtube.com/user/Murtonfarm/videos

It's under every post I make, if you're on a PC. Don't think they show on phones.

 

[DrWazzock]

I have to saying my autumn ploughed and untouched land land is probably taking water better than untouched stubbles with a cover of volunteers. There is an open furrow along the bottom of the ploughed slope and it has never had water standing in it this winter. Direct drilled slopes show signs of run off as do conventionally cultivated and drilled slopes.
Really there is little difference in either technique regarding run off from what I’ve seen.

 

[tr250]

I have to saying my autumn ploughed and untouched land land is probably taking water better than untouched stubbles with a cover of volunteers. There is an open furrow along the bottom of the ploughed slope and it has never had water standing in it this winter. Direct drilled slopes show signs of run off as do conventionally cultivated and drilled slopes.
Really there is little difference in either technique regarding run off from what I’ve seen.

Your right the run off is the same maybe more on the no-till because it’s not got a 6 inch sponge to fill to capacity first only difference is that it doesn’t take soil with it so bad. This instance it’s dispersing and draining away before it gets to the ditch

 

[SilliamWhale]

@yellow belly is a big mole draining man.

If its any comfort I have standing water in my grass fields today as well!

In this case you have no crop to wick the moisture away which does start to happen as humidity decreases in March. But you'll be fine - at the end of the day the drill will provide the air the seed needs.

And yes at least its not sheet eroding away bringing soil with it.