What's happening in the field?

At the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station

Water drainage at high tunnel improved

by

The internal water drainage inside the high tunnel was improved by installing drainage tile from the west end which is higher in elevation down past the lower east end. We also installed hardware cloth along the sides to keep groundhogs from digging under the tunnel to end their free buffets.

A trench next to the edges of the high tunnel was dug using a skidster.
A trench next to the edges of the high tunnel was dug using a skidster.
Hardware cloth was attached to the baseboard to hopefully keep the lettuce and kale eating groundhog out!
Hardware cloth was attached to the baseboard to hopefully keep the lettuce and kale eating groundhog out!
Drainage pipe was laid down the side extending past the east end and then covered with gravel.
Drainage pipe was laid down the side extending past the east end and then covered with gravel.
Here is a close-up of the pipe, gravel and hardware cloth.
Here is a close-up of the pipe, gravel and hardware cloth.
The end of the drainage pipe goes past the high tunnel and a hole is dug at the end for the water to drain into.
The end of the drainage pipe goes past the high tunnel and a hole is dug at the end for the water to drain into.
The end is also filled with gravel.
The end is also filled with gravel.
The project is finished by putting soil over the gravel.
The project is finished by putting soil over the gravel.