Drainage - The Accidental Smallholder

Many grassland species are relatively tolerant of wet soil. However, grass is not tolerant of physical disturbance, either by hooves or machinery, especially when wet (poaching). If drainage is poor and soil remains wet into spring, mechanical operations and stock turnout may have to be delayed until the soil dries out to reduce the risk of poaching.

Some plant species that would be regarded as weeds also favour wet land – reeds, rushes and buttercups for instance.

Many things – soil type, topography, and soil compaction, can cause poor drainage.

Field drains

The most expensive option is the installation of field drains – plastic pipe run under the soil with a backfill of gravel.

Installing a field drain

Open ditches

Digging ditches and either leaving them open or backfilling with gravel can improve drainage. Open ditches need to be secured from stock, whose hooves will eventually destroy them. Open ditches also need to be regularly cleared.

Mole draining

Mole draining is a mechanical operation whereby a mole plough is drawn along under the soil to break up any soil compaction – like a mole, but bigger. Subsoiling is a similar operation, breaking up the soil up to half a metre down. It must be done in dry conditions.