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Bristol R.I. USA

here is my situation. I roto tilled the patch on saturday and all amendments where added. Soil was healthy and looking good all amendments where finalized. We had like 5 inches of rain in two days. the patch was flooded and showed signs of the water making a path through the patch taking some of the good soil with it. IT had several pathways. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem with this. I plan on tilling one more time to fluff up some of the soil. I put up one of two hoop houses that I'll be planting in. The mess was like walking through quicksand. I'll never do that. Here in New England we're gonna have a few more days of rain later in the week. The plants will be going in the ground on Friday or Saturday no matter what. My question is is a final till needed or should I just leave it the way it is around the hoophouse the area is a mess and another till needs to be done around there do to the caked soil. Any opinions from those who have had this happen will help. The area of my patch tends to hold a ton of water due to the area and way the water tends to run, Thanks in advance

4/24/2012 11:37:53 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

another thing, I plan on growing only two plants this year and no matter what I'm able to do the waters route seems to be directed at the patch. During the later part of the season I have no issues with water since the sun usually burns up the waterlogger area.

4/24/2012 11:40:15 AM

The North Coast

When dealing with erosion mitigation in a specific area the first thing that you have to secure is elimination the surface water coming into that zone. That zone can no longer have flows running through it from other zones. This may be much easier said then done but will ease the problem.

Also you have a drainage/percolation issue. They make soil penetrants that are typically used to facilitate the downward movement of water on golf course fairways. These product do work well but they are not miracle workers.

Mitigate water coming into the zone and facilitate water leaving the zone.... or you could haul in about 100 dump trucks of top soil and put a crown on the whole thing. That sounds fun too.

4/24/2012 12:24:56 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

I wouldn't till again if it is that wet, you will do more harm than good. If possible, wait until it dries out sufficiently and then till around your plants. Sounds like you could use a good subsoiling sometime.

4/24/2012 2:17:45 PM

churchville, ny

I agree with pumpkinJesus - if you rototill when wet, you could end up with clumps - when the sun drys it, it could turn as hard as a rock.

This happened to me last year when I worked up my 15 acres for regular pumpkins - even rolling it did not break up the clumps - good luck

4/24/2012 8:24:19 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I most certainly could use a good sub soiling. I just need to find where in R.I. Or who does it.

4/24/2012 9:43:31 PM

Hinckley MN

you are better off buying or making a broadfork if you are not near a farmer with a subsoiler. they take alot of horsepower per shank.

don't rototill wet soil, especially if it has alot of clay. rototilling clay soil makes little sun dried bricks.

that being said, I don't have a run off problem. you have to have slope for water to run off. if I had 5 inches of rain, my patch would be a pond.

4/24/2012 10:19:02 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I am with the subsoiler comments. My patch had drainage problems for past 2 years. I was lucky to have that Dyberry Patch guy and his father locate a subsoiler to borrow and a good friend with a big orange tractor to help out. So far 2.5 inches of rain and no pooling. We shall see.

4/25/2012 7:03:26 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Once again, I am going to say this...amelio...try being nice!!!! Peace, Wayne

4/25/2012 9:33:28 PM