Baymule’s Journal

[Mini Horses]

I'm fortunate to have good soil, so few "low" spots that collect after a rain. Plus a gentle overall slope front to rear of property.

But, when I built the barn, yrs back, I had a foundation and block up 3 high, then frame like a house. So it's dry in there. Dirt floors. Now, where animals go in and out - outside - I've had to regrade a couple times.

My then SIL was a concrete, block & brick contractor. Contractor prices and cheaper labor. couldn't do it now.

 

[Baymule]

Got another inch of rain yesterday. Soil is already saturated, so I walked my barn location. I’m gonna go with what is called a select fill dirt. I’ll put rock on top of the “driveway “ part, for backing truck up to the barn to unload feed, or hay.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

When we put our drive back to the pasture/barn we used 'washout.' But we also put some kind of fabric down first to keep the washout from simply sinking into the mud and disappearing. It made a big difference.

 

[Mini Horses]

Wow...you have wet!! Ok, is their a drier, kinda close, near that??? . While it's waterlogged, look around.

 

[Baymule]

Wow...you have wet!! Ok, is their a drier, kinda close, near that??? . While it's waterlogged, look around.

I have. There is a better spot in the back field where the big barn will go. The front and middle fields, just pick a spot, it’s all slop. I need better shelter NOW. Not going to fool with the middle field, it’s even lower. This will give access right off the driveway.

I get out and walk fields after every storm. No matter where I put the small barn, it’s going to require dirt hauled in to raise it up. With a roof over it, it should stay dry. I may have to gutter it to drain off water, bury a pipe to direct it away.

I can set gates in the fences along the driveway in a manner that I open both gates on opposite sides to make a lane from front field to middle field for grazing.

 

[SageHill]

EEEK - that's a lot of mush. Easy for me to say - bring in as much fill as you can. Easy to say, not easy and is $ to do.
Where I'm at the best places for both the house and barn had to be "cut and fill" because of the slopes. Cut down about 20ft or more and use that to fill -- at least we didn't have to bring in fill I guess. Though both house and barn required big bulldozers and grading machines.
This was getting ready for the barn (weeks of this)...

 

[Baymule]

I opened the blinds this morning and saw signs that the pitter patter of little sheep feet I heard this morning on the porch, wasn’t a dream. I drank my coffee and sure enough, the stinkers came back.

SHHHH…… don’t wake her up!

I don’t know about this, I’m scared!

There’s nothing to be scared of! Watch this!

See! I told you!

And I rapped on the window and got the satisfaction of watching her scramble off the porch as fast as she could go.

 

[farmerjan]

Definitely look into the fabric to put under the gravel or whatever you use for the roadway. It will do wonders from keeping it from just sinking down into mud over time and you having to redo it. I have seen first hand where a farmer used it around some concrete feed troughs and it was like night and day from the previous years where it would just gradually work it's way down into the mud.

We could sure use an inch or 2 of the rain you keep getting... it keeps bypassing us with these little teaser sprinkle deals of "just barely wet" to a little annoying shower to get you just a little wet... and then stop at .1 inch... we are nearly 2 inches short for the month already...

 

[Baymule]

@farmerjan what is that fabric called, so I can do a search for to.

 

[Margali]

@Baymule It is geotextile fabric for soil stabilization. There are different weights and weaves for various conditions. Best bet would be ask local landscaping company which brand they recommend and can order for you.