The soil factor
What's under the ground is vitally important to what grows or is built on top of it. Most of this property has about 10 feet of fine loess type soil. There is a fair amount of clay, holds water quite well, in fact, too well. But the soil also dries to concrete hardness when no rain for more than about three weeks.. Under the subsoil, the bedrock is a variety of limestone.
Up until 15 years ago, the forested areas were mostly kept mown and clear under the trees with brush hog, and I suspect 40 years ago with cows. And the fields mowed to maybe 2 inches. As a result, the organic layer in the forested areas is usually only about 15 years old and is deep only where obstructions to water flow has let it pile up.
The western half is more steeply sloped and will benefit from a bunch of short contour swales between and amongst the trees. Particularly some that cut across existing eroded areas.
The eastern half has mostly less than 3% slopes and the problem here is water not flowing, but sticking around and making a muddy mess, particularly around the south side of the house where enough rain will cause seepage into the basement.
The south side of the house would make a great location for a contour swale, but not at all sure I want to create a water lens underground that close to the house.
Read MoreUp until 15 years ago, the forested areas were mostly kept mown and clear under the trees with brush hog, and I suspect 40 years ago with cows. And the fields mowed to maybe 2 inches. As a result, the organic layer in the forested areas is usually only about 15 years old and is deep only where obstructions to water flow has let it pile up.
The western half is more steeply sloped and will benefit from a bunch of short contour swales between and amongst the trees. Particularly some that cut across existing eroded areas.
The eastern half has mostly less than 3% slopes and the problem here is water not flowing, but sticking around and making a muddy mess, particularly around the south side of the house where enough rain will cause seepage into the basement.
The south side of the house would make a great location for a contour swale, but not at all sure I want to create a water lens underground that close to the house.
Underlying rock type is mainly limestone. Water from well has a lot of lime in it.
approximate location of place is inside the star shape.
This section had a much thicker Organic and Assimilation horizons.
geothermal_058_DSC02203-Edit
leak in basement becomes water storage solution
This ditch needs to be widened to at least 3 feet and another 6 inches deeper. Then sheet mulched.