Wet ground???

[Wazmos]

I have a block of ground that seems to hold surface water more than the rest of my land. All land is the same soil type, all on limestone and all very similar elevation. Would using a slitter/aerator help the situation? Never done any before so any help is much appreciated.

 

[Al R]

Do a dig test first to see where the compaction is, if it’s in the top inch aerator should work, any deeper and use a grassland subsoiler.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Have a dig with a spade before you do anything. It could be well worthwhile to give it a lift with an aerator, but it could also be a complete waste of time!
What's the history of it, ie what's been grown on it, and how?

 

[Wazmos]

Was last ploughed about 10yrs ago, went straight back to grass, it was soil sampled and corrected over the last 2 years.
Normally first cut it then graze after.
If it has compaction issues when is the best time to tackle it?
Thanks

 

[Boohoo]

Definitely have a dig but keep in mind that compaction might not be the problem. We have as much trouble with rising water as falling water.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Was last ploughed about 10yrs ago, went straight back to grass, it was soil sampled and corrected over the last 2 years.
Normally first cut it then graze after.
If it has compaction issues when is the best time to tackle it?
Thanks

All the time - slightly tongue in cheek comment there, but I can enlarge on that .

The best time really for use of an aerator is when the subsoil part that you wish to shatter, is dry enough that it will actually shatter and not simply smear. Probably just about the time the combines are being pulled out of storage
As Boohoo says - poor infiltrarion may not necessarily be due to "compaction" but simply poor soil structure - it may be quite blocky due to poor drainage rather than crumby, for example.

That's why the spade is so useful, the smell of sour earth is quite unmistakable but also it'll help show you what you're dealing with, in terms of soil porosity and compaction layers.
If it was a bit damp when ploughed 10 years ago, maybe it's got a smear/plough pan at 6 inches - this is ideal for a subsoiler/sward lifter to fix temporarily, often it just needs a kickstart to get the water cycling and the biology/roots will do the rest.

Everyday "management" may simply have to change to change the long-term outlook though, as with all "bandaids"

 

[Bury the Trash]

is it down to grass ? sow a different mix using timothy or something like tall fescue which will cope well /thrive with water logging …dont graze too tight. a long cover will keep the whole plant and roots stronger .


plopping about with heavy machinery causes compaction its no help then to try to remove it with heavy machinery

 

[Longlowdog]

I have land prone to standing water with drains prone to iron blockages and routinely use a Ritchie aerator. It certainly alleviates the water problem. My compaction is due to sheep and the tractor being used to pasture top. I strongly feel it has merit as any winter when I have not aerated the puddles are back.
I always aerate in the spring a soon as the land is fit to travel on and often get a second go if there is a nice spell of weather in autumn.
I further believe that the clover in my fields benefits from a wee bit more air around the roots. but I've no science behind that just a gut feeling.