Irrigation and drainage of soils are very important measures aimed at improving the conditions for the normal growth and development of plants. Most beginner farmers do not have questions about high-quality irrigation, but not everyone knows what drainage is. So why do you need to drain the soil, in what cases do it, how to properly carry out this procedure and what it will give.
Concept and purpose
So, artificial drainage of the soil is a complex of agricultural measures aimed at reducing the amount of moisture in the soil. Most often, this procedure is carried out in the fields located next to the marshland. Ground water in such places is too close to the surface, and an excess of moisture in the earth negatively affects the quantity and quality of the crop.
As for the purpose of drainage, it can be very different. In some cases, the farmer tries in this way to prevent the development of fungal infections that occur in moist soils, in others - to get rid of the sludge that forms in moist places. Also, excessive moisture in the soil leads to a musty and unpleasant odor - hardly anyone will be pleased to harvest in such conditions.
Soil drainage methods
To get rid of excess moisture in the soil is not so simple as it might seem at first glance. Water in marshy areas constantly flows upward due to the large amount of groundwater, therefore, even if the weather is clear and hot for several days, it is far from a fact that the puddles in the fields will completely disappear. Because of this, many farmers resort to methods of artificial drainage of land.
It:
- construction of channels for water drainage;
- the construction of artificial reservoirs;
- organization of a drainage system;
- raising the soil level;
- planting of special crops.
The choice of technology should be determined by the farmer's capabilities, topography, depth of groundwater, the presence or absence of slope, soil composition and many other factors that will be disclosed in the following sections when describing drainage methods.
Water drainage channel
Perhaps this is the most common method of draining the soil, which allows you to achieve normalization of the moisture level in the soil in a matter of weeks. In addition, the construction of the canal is a fairly simple and inexpensive procedure. Even beginner farmers will be able to carry it out. The channel does not take up too much space and gives the site a beautiful look. The only drawback is the difficulty in finding blockages that prevent water from moving in the right direction.
For the construction of the canal, several excavators are usually used, which begin work from the place where the water will flow (a ravine or a lake). It is advisable to dig the channel so that it is at a slight slope, which increases as you approach the field. Do not be afraid to create a similar element in the center of the land, if most of the moisture is there. By dividing the field with a canal, you noticeably drain the soil, losing only a small part of the area for sowing.
Correct formation of a branch line
In most regions, the soil drainage system is based on the formation of bypass channels or trenches with a further outlet to the well. However, it should be understood that in some areas a similar procedure can contribute to lowering the soil. If it is a question of draining a gentle area, it is necessary to lay trenches across the slope. In this way, unwanted landscape changes can be avoided.
In addition, it is necessary to dig trenches and channels according to a certain technology so that the drainage is of the highest quality. For example, the depth of the trench should be from 100 to 120 centimeters (depending on the depth of the underwater waters). If you build a drain too deep, it will lead to overflow. However, there will also be no effect from too small a channel. As for the walls, they should be done at a slight angle. Twenty degrees is the best option.
Soil drainage system
Sometimes it is enough to carry out high-quality drainage to drain swamp soils. Such a technique requires certain financial investments, since there is a need to purchase certain material. However, preference can be given to the drainage system in any case, since this option is considered universal. It is especially important to carry out such a technique in the event that it is not possible to build a channel due to the poor location of wet areas.
As for the material for drainage, the choice is quite huge. Moreover, each of the options allows you to achieve a certain result, so all methods require a more detailed analysis. In the following sections, you will find more detailed information about which drainage is better to use, what advantages this or that material has, what is the technology of introducing it into the ground, and so on.
Pottery drainage
A similar technique is carried out using plastic or clay pipes, which are laid in the ground and help to remove high humidity. It is practically not possible to carry out such a procedure for a huge land plot; therefore, the method is most often used in small private gardens to drain a specific plot for planting a specific category of crops.
The depth of incorporation of this building material depends on the type of soil that needs to be drained. The distance between the pipes should be from 4 to 6 meters. The stronger the boggy area, the more pipes will have to be laid. The number of corners and joints should be minimized so that construction costs are not so large. It is also recommended to pour a layer of rubble under the pipes to avoid clogging.
Soft drainage
You can get rid of moisture retention in the soil for a long time using a soft drainage system. The main material used is soft textiles and waterproofing fabric, which is laid on top. An additional layer of crushed stone is also poured on top, after which the film is again placed.
When creating a soft drainage system, it is recommended to additionally raise the soil layer. To do this, you can order fertile soil, the composition of which is suitable for growing those crops that will subsequently be planted. However, do not overdo it! The maximum layer of soil brought should be no more than 30 centimeters.
Creation of an artificial reservoir
If we are talking about draining a gently sloping area, then you can use the method of creating an artificial reservoir, which is a "waste tank" for several trenches. Just find the wetland and start building a small pond where all the water from the field would fit. Its depth directly depends on the number of drains that it will take in.
Quite often, a similar technique is used if it is not just necessary to drain the site, but to create a special recreation area on it. Some farmers find it quite practical to use such ponds, launching fish for breeding there. However, in this case, it is necessary to block the channels with a net so that the fish does not float out of the prescribed zone.
Plant drainage
The problem of excess moisture can be solved by planting trees on an area that actively use water for growth. Of course, such a technique will be much less effective than the construction of canals or a pond, however, it quite takes place in small fields that do not suffer too much from excess moisture. That is, the soil needs to be simply drained a little in order to ensure that the growth of crops is more uniform.
As for the types of trees that can be planted for drainage, the assortment is very diverse: ash, Tatar maple, fluffy birch, larch, weeping willow, alder and so on. You can even alternate them with fruit crops to create a real apple or pear orchard in the middle of the field. For the decoration, you can plant various shrubs, which also consume a lot of water and are resistant to fungal infections.
We hope our article helped you understand what drainage of the soil is and how to properly carry out such a procedure. If you still have any questions about this, then watch the short video posted above. It has many useful tips for beginning farmers.