Soil Drainage

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Water is essential for plant growth. However, either too little or too much water can result in decline and death of plants. A well-drained soil consists of half soil solids and half air space. Of this air space, half is made up of large spaces and half of small spaces. Under normal periods of irrigation or rainfall, the small pore spaces are able to hold water while the larger ones release the water to the pull of gravity and refill with air.