Tiling

A couple summers ago Ott, E and I were driving in Wisconsin and drove past a field that had some water standing in it. I knew it had been quite a while since it rained and while making small talk I said, "looks like they need to replace the tile in that field." Ott, E gave me that smug look and said, "In hilly areas, they don't tile fields as extensively in Wisconsin because the rolling countryside produces natural drainage." ..... Oh.... duh... I thought.

While I was so engrossed in the nice flat farmground in central Indiana; tiling was just a normal way of doing business so it never really occurred to me that other areas of the country might not use tile. So seeing as how the idea of not tiling was new to me; I figured concept of tiling fields may be a new to some of you.

In a flat area you can look out across a field and see to the horizon; and while it makes for pretty sunsets, when we have wet springs like we have had here lately it makes for some pretty wet fields. With few hills and fine textured soils; poor surface drainage causes water to stand in fields for an excessive amount of time. For this reason some farmers choose to lay tile. Tiling is an artificial drainage system. Think of this as giant pores that increase the rate of groundwater movement. Drainage can only occur when it is located below the level of the water table.

Above you see pictures of equipment that digs the trench that corrugated plastic pipe (see below) will be laid in.

The pipe has perforations on the underside that allow water to seep in from saturated soil.  The trench then backfilled and once the field is planted you can't tell it was ever there.

Specialized laser guided equipment is used to know exactly where lines should be laid as well as how deep to ensure pipes are below the season high water table.

While the subject of tiling may not be glamorous or entertaining, I hope it is a little bit educational and the next time you drive by a flat dry field I hope you will appreciate the work that's going on underneath the surface. 
This post was linked to: Farm Girl and Farm Friend Friday on Verde Farm