I know this may seem like a goofy question but I was wondering if anyone can answer it for me or explain why...
Today I went out early and did some deep watering in the back terrace and in the veggie garden so I could pull weeds easier ..well as I let the water just run on the ground one it made a hole along the timbers, I found not to step with any type of shoes on as you will sink and lose your shoe in the mud (sandy muck)
now as far as I know the terrace was filled in with "dirt" when it was made and I have seen no signs of any moles diggin in it and the timbers around the veggies are just laid on top to make a border per say so DH knows not to mow in it LOL
so why does it end up making these big holes that seem to run the water underground and I am not finding it coming out anyplace?
Anyone know why?
It may have to do with the force of the water hitting the soil. Are you using a sprinkler, or just placing the hose on the ground? If just the open hose end on the ground, the force of the water will start to wash out the soil in a small area, this indented area then holds the water and more soil continues to wash out, so the indentation will get larger and larger and act like a bowl. Try using a sprinkler or drip hose on it and that will likely solve the problem.
Also, dirt settles over time making things less even. Water will pool in the low spots. Don't forget that heavy rains will disturb dirt as well.
I was just using the end of the hose but I had it so it low so it was a slow soft trickle where I had the peas planted so it was puddling up then going out from there to soak in as it went. I wanted to soften up things to pull the weeds easier.
it just stuck me as odd that down a ways from it there was this hole and how different places I stepped I sunk in covering my feet to my ankles.
It reminds me of walking in a garden after just tilling it and how you sink in ...I wasn't' expecting it on ground that has been watered and rained on up until now.
Just wondered if this is the way it is with the difference between the "dirt" back in Illinois versus the "dirt"/sand clay in Texas
and yes we usually use a sprinkler to water with just didn't want to fry the plants in the sun today yet get a lot of much needed weeding done since Dh doesn't do that much afraid he will pull something he isn't suppose to *LOL*
Large rotted tree roots will leaves behind empty tunnels that don't ever seem to fill when I water. You might also check for armadillo damage. Besides long tunnels, they also leave grassy areas looking pockmarked.
mmm never thought about the tree roots that could be a possibility since over 12 years ago they did have someone come in and take out a number of pine trees and we have found remains of where the trunks were and armadillo damage? gee didn't 'even think about where they actually live either but I do know we have moles but they are out in front of the house
Just a wild, wild guess. We have underground springs all over our area. Could be the source, water close to the surface. Might explain the willow tree with no apparent water source. The roots of the tree have found water.
Some of our trees will suddenly grow like mad when it is evident that the tap root has gone past the rock table and found water.
As I said, a really wild guess.
Christi
well it could be a good guess but I have no idea I do know my daughter said there are no basements in Texas as the water table it too high ....she would know more then I with being a field engineer for Baker Hughes.
mmm mental note....need to give her a call and see what she can find out or the people she works with.
Next door neighbor and I discussed drilling a well to use to water the yards about 40 years ago. We could have done it then. Rules and regulations wouldn't allow it now.
They have a sump pump under the stage at the high school auditorium and another to keep the water from flowing over the front sidewalk and causing moss...which it did for many years. Grand Saline is where Morton's Salt came from forever. Think they closed the mine awhile back. There are empty caverns all over the country there. Where there is oil and natural gas, water is somewhere. Not necessarily together. Tell us what DD has to say.