I didn’t know when we bought our place here in Alabama that we would be getting lakefront property, but with all the rain that has been falling since we got here, it’s beginning to look that way. Not just on our property but everywhere around here.
A big part of the problem is the heavy clay content in our soil. It is just so dense that the water takes a long time to absorb into the earth. Our son Travis has the same problem at his property, and he has spent a lot of time researching solutions. He and his wife Geli put in a French drain in one area, and he says it helped to a certain degree, but really needs to be wider than what they dug to make a difference.
In my own research, I found that aerating the soil can help a lot with drainage, and I considered buying an aerator from Lowes that is designed to be pulled behind a riding lawnmower. But the more I am learning, the more convinced I am that it is too small and the spikes are not long enough to penetrate as deeply as needed.
The next step would be an aerator big enough and heavy enough, with longer spikes to get down deeper. Now I just have to find one, since the local Kubota dealer does not have any in stock that will fit my small tractor.
Travis keeps asking me if we are having buyer’s remorse due to the nasty weather, and I keep assuring him, not at all. Most of the country is experiencing weather patterns that are far from normal. Then again, with all the climate change going on, maybe this is the new normal. Who knows? At least we kept our kayaks, and now we might be able to paddle them in the back pasture.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Thought For The Day – The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Regardless of the weather, being near family as you age is worth any discomforts! Four years ago, we moved to Florida permanently from the midwest, (where our sons and grandkids live) in our early 80s and while my husband loves it here (which does make it worthwhile) I wish we were closer to our families!
Consider a box blade on your new tractor – making a catch pond and terracing.
Many years ago we lived in an area with clay, and my father planted potatoes in the front yard to loosen the soil. We didn’t have a tractor, just shovels.
Your farm supply dealer may know something to help.
It’s been so dang cold and windy in southern Arizona–and we even had snow the other day!
It looks like you already have a drainage Taper about 50 feet behind your fence improve upon it. To a (new) retention pond at your lowest point
Raised beds and composting.
How often would you be using an aerator? Why not rent one or hire the job out?
Susan Wilson, In our heavy clay soil it is not a one-time process. It needs to be repeated over several seasons, Between our place and our son’s, it would be cheaper to buy in the long run
If you are looking into getting an aerator, look at places that sell golf course supplies, as golf courses aerate several times a year.
Have you thought about becoming a rice farmer? 😉