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Muddy area - need a temporary fix

1K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Sfgwife 
#1 ·
Hi Guys n Gals! Curious what your thoughts would be on this. We are in the process of turning a new carport into a barn, so we have a big project ahead as we'll start working on getting the ends enclosed and fixing inside to make it ready to use.
When we had gravel delivered for the carport, the truck got stuck in the soft ground so he dropped it as close to our building site as possible. That area turned to dirt, also became a lounging area for the goats, and now after 2 days of rain it is a muddy mess.
This area will eventually be the back entryway for the girls to come/go from the barn.
Low area and drainage issues as well which is frustrating, but that's just how the land is...

I'm planning on burying some drain pipe to help with standing water issues, but trying to figure out the best way to build this area up? I would love to just put gravel in the entire area! But no way I can do that right now as I'm sure I'd be looking at $1,000 all said and done just on gravel.

I was thinking maybe I should get wood chips instead? I think they'd be more affordable, and I've debated doing this in another area over the years, but wondered how the breakdown would be? Pros and cons?

Here's some pics to show the area. Right now the temporary gate is over there on the right side of the pic, so yeah, it's going to definitely be a horrible mess if I don't do something ASAP with lots of rain chances next week.



We are at the bottom of a hill, and you can kind of tell there is a slight incline on the left side of this 2nd pic. Those stumps in the background are along the creek bank which is higher than the grassy area (the creek goes off along that crazy bent tree in the top/middle). So it kind of creates a great point for standing water. Again getting ready to work on drainage but needed some rain so I could figure out the worst areas.

 
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#5 ·
If it is gonna be used after everything is said and done... i would put down landscape fabric in it to start with. Then for now wood chips and when you can do whatever else you decide on. I have a muddy area and we add chips to the muddy spot but when it is rainin for days on end it disappears quickly into the ground and is muddy again. We have not done anything more to ours because hubby wants to build an awning off the barns which should fix that issue for us.
 
#6 ·
Thanks guys! I'm thinking I will get wood chips from the local farm store or talk with a tree service down the road - planning to get it by the scoop load, and get about 4-5 loads to layer up this area. Eventually I want to put down gravel but need to get the barn done first.
I should have called these places today to price and go with the best option! But I've been running around trying to find some decent wood. It's insane how much new wood is right now!
We are needing 4x4 - 10 and 12 foot long posts and OMG...crazy! $25-30 a post!!
 
#9 ·
Thanks guys! I'm thinking I will get wood chips from the local farm store or talk with a tree service down the road - planning to get it by the scoop load, and get about 4-5 loads to layer up this area. Eventually I want to put down gravel but need to get the barn done first.
I should have called these places today to price and go with the best option! But I've been running around trying to find some decent wood. It's insane how much new wood is right now!
We are needing 4x4 - 10 and 12 foot long posts and OMG...crazy! $25-30 a post!!
Talk to your local sawmill too!
 
#7 ·
Can you get some field tile (long corrugated pipe with holes in it) and put at your low area to channel the water away, then the fabric and chips on that. Alot of farms have sections of field tile left over from a big job. (it used to be clay pipes, now it is polypropolene but still called tiles).

We put a section of tile behind my barn in a really swampy area- it has helped alot!
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I had fully planned to go get some wood chips tomorrow, but my husband doesn't want me to spend $$ on them and wants to wait and get gravel - ugh. I may contact some tree services that are in our area and see if we can get some - they usually give them away!

Can you get some field tile (long corrugated pipe with holes in it) and put at your low area to channel the water away, then the fabric and chips on that. Alot of farms have sections of field tile left over from a big job. (it used to be clay pipes, now it is polypropolene but still called tiles).

We put a section of tile behind my barn in a really swampy area- it has helped alot!
I actually am planning to work on the drainage issue! That's one reason I wanted a temporary fix for the muddy area around the gate. In fact I planned to start digging trenches for the drain pipes in the next few days, I'm just waiting for more rain so I can see where the trouble spots are, and start there to make sure it will be effective before laying pipe. Wanting it to drain to the creek, and we'll use gravel and/or rock around the pipes.
 
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