Reclaiming a Rough 3-Acre Former Soybean Field

Transforming rutted, clay-heavy flood-prone land requires mechanical renovation, not just hand tools.

Action Plan

1. Hire a farmer or bobcat to plow and drag smooth.
2. Incorporate compost/manure to improve drainage.
3. Soil test; lime/fertilize per results.
4. Seed with a durable mix (tall fescue + Kentucky bluegrass).
5. Plant fast-growing trees (hybrid poplar, willow) and shrubs (elderberry, dogwood) in swales to manage water.

Phase the work; start near the house.