permaculture

[Dieter Brand <diebrand@yahoo.com>]

> Will those with experiences of soil drainage in wet
> climates please share those experiences, observations and
> advice.

Steve,

I’m in a semi-arid climate.  If we do get rain, it is usually between 
November and April.  In a wet year, some of my fields are water logged for 
almost 5 months.  In the beginning, I dug some drain channels and even buried 
drain pipes and gravel.  I will not do that again.  The effect was minimal.  
I have very heavy clay soil with little OM.  That is the reason the soil gets 
water logged.  The only way to remedy the problem is by increasing SOM – at 
least in may case.  It takes time, but it is the only sustainable way.  A 
clay soil rich in humus can absorb huge amounts of water without getting 
water logged.  It also has good drainage.

Dieter