This year started out for us with taking on some of the bigger (read nerve-wracking) projects that we had put-off for a few years due to lack of clarity on how to go about it and of course budget constraints.
This year started out for us with taking on some of the bigger (read nerve-wracking) projects that we had put-off for a few years due to lack of clarity on how to go about it and of course budget constraints.
We have been facing water-logging problems year after year during every rainy season, which resulted in the loss of many precious trees and vegetation. The adverse effects of excess water during rain gets compounded by the compact clayey nature of our soil. We have been on the look out for a viable solution for this problem but did not have much leeway.
This year we finally zeroed-in on digging out trenches with the help of an expert to strategically allow the rainwater to settle into them so the surrounding trees are safe from the water-logging issue.
Here’s what we did–
We decided to make our trenches 3 feet deep and 2 feet wide. We marked the low lying areas and planned it strategically. We made sure the tree roots weren’t damaged in the process.
It’s best to have this done before planting trees and developing the farm because maneuvering the JCB isn’t as easy as you think with plants and trees growing everywhere! But what can I say, we didn’t have any inkling about this waterlogging issue until after we did our plantations.
Hope this experience of ours gives the wannabe farmers out there a little heads-up. And if you are already into farming and this is an issue you have been facing, then, I think you must give “trench making” a serious consideration.
Making Trenches to Combat Water-Logging –
Look at how much water there is even when the land looks dry on the outside. For context, it’s been 3 months after the rains. The soil had enough time to dry and yet beneath the surface we could see so much of water. This just shows how distressed the trees and plants in this area would have been with roots choked up with water. So glad we took this step to make trenches even though it was very challenging to get a small Jcb inside the farm and maneuver with lots of plantation around.
(Please re-arrange the pics placing the trench with water towards the end. The order of pics didn’t come out right. Also remove any repetitive pic.)
Moving onto the next big project….
Another huge step forward for our farm was to install a drip irrigation system. In the initial stages of our farming journey, we didn’t have as much area covered for cultivation and thought we could easily manage with manual watering. But over the years, we had slowly added a lot more plants and new garden patches. From herb gardens to flowering plants to fruit trees, our farm now doesn’t have much empty space, so to speak. We never quite knew that tending to watering all these areas was taking up so much of labour and costing, not to mention unintentional wastage of water. So we decided it was high time we looked into installing a drip irrigation system.
We had a thorough discussion with our vendor to decide which areas needed drip irrigation, and where to have the sprinklers installed. Every farm is different with its own design and plantation. So, it’s important to work with your vendor to understand what would work best for you. Your inputs are very crucial in the planning and installing of a drip irrigation system.
Here are some important pointers to understand why drip irrigation is the way to go even for small farm like ours.
Installing Drip Irrigation for Precise Water Delivery –
A drip irrigation system can aid in delivering water directly to where your plants need it most — their root zone — without adding excess soil moisture.
Drip irrigation emits water slowly, reducing runoff and conserving water while delivering nutrients directly to the roots.
This makes for a more resilient and productive growing environment, especially during dry periods or when soil is already moist due to heavy rain.
Finally, it frees up your time to tend to other pressing chores on the farm.
Trench making and installing drip irrigation has been a game-changer for us. Together, these two strategies can enable you to manage soil water effectively, fostering strong root growth and healthy, thriving plants.
Drip irrigation is already proving to be a life-saver with the scorching heat of the summer in Chennai. It is a boon for especially weekend farmers like us who rely on hired help for watering our plants. This system has drastically reduced labour costs as well as ensuring efficient usage of the precious water resource.
In case of trench making, though we are yet to see how this will pan out during the monsoons, we have already witnessed how it eased our trees from choking up in excess ground water. We are sure this is going to be a huge improvement and a turning point in how we manage water-logging henceforth and effectively use the excess water.
Managing water efficiently is key to healthy, productive soil — especially in areas prone to heavy rain and poor infiltration, as in our case. Water-logging can choke roots, deplete soil fertility, undermine soil structure, and foster disease. This is why trench making alongside a well-planned drip irrigation system is essential for the long-term improvement of our farm’s health and yields.
I will keep you posted on how my trenches pan out during monsoons. Meanwhile, let this be your permission slip to go ahead with making the trenches and installing drip irrigation on your land if it’s been on your mind. Don’t wait as long as we did.
Effective water management is crucial for maintaining soil health and ensuring productive organic gardening, especially in areas prone to water-logging like ours. If you want to dive deeper into sustainable farming practices, check out our Online Organic Gardening Course for Beginners to learn how to nurture healthy soil and plants naturally. For insights on improving soil fertility and composting techniques that complement proper water management, explore our Free Home Composting 101 guide.
Additionally, our DIY Natural Cleaners E-course offers tips to keep your garden free from harmful chemicals while protecting your plants. Taking steps like trench making and installing drip irrigation can transform your farm’s health — and with the right knowledge and tools from Kalpavriksha Farms, you can build a thriving, resilient organic vegetable garden that flourishes season after season.
