Tile drainage in Massachusetts cranberry production – implementation and best
management practices - NEW GRANT PROJECT

Group of growers have agreed to provide guidance and advice and demonstration sites

We will be looking at spacing (horizontal) and depth; use in existing beds and
renovations
Other possible lines of investigation:
o How long can a tile be and still remain functional and manageable
o What is the longevity of tile installations (comparison of various ages)
o Interactions with sub grade (compare with and without 'notch')
o Direction of the tile (short vs. long ends of bed)
o Weeds along pulled in tile
o Use in subsurface irrigation
o Document ideal spacing - horizontal and vertical
o Use of fabric, sock or stones with installation –is it necessary?
o Could wider horizontal spacing(s) be looked at in circumstances where tiles
were not installed deep (<12 inches)?
o Influence of ditches (depth and placement) on tile drainage
o Influence of substrate

Goal is to develop BMP and information sources for growers looking to install tile,
include information on tile maintenance

***Drained beds will be compared to their pre-drainage state and to undrained beds
(growers will be asked to record information for undrained companion beds)***

Growers install tile drains with guidance from the project team and advisors. They begin
to keep records of management activities using the template provided by the team.
(2013) ***Sign on to the project and get advice from the project team in exchange for
keeping and sharing records.***
Record keeping template (will be developed as an excel file and provided to you in that
format and in hard copy):
1. When did you install your drains? Number of acres installed?
2. Record spacing of the drains (depth and horizontal spacing)
3. Provide the cost of installation (indicate if for entire project or per acre basis):
a. Materials; b. Labor; c. Equipment
4. For each year for the drained bed and for the 2 prior years provide:
a. Copy of pesticide use report and IPM scouting records;
b. Weed map; c. Copy of fertilizers applied; d. Yield and percent harvest rot
5. For the years with drains installed provide:
a. Dates and hours of irrigations (sprinklers)
b. Record of drain management activities (what you did and when)
c. Record of water levels (weekly (Mondays) and post rain or irrigation events)
– record using a water level float or other approved device
6. Tell us about challenges during installation; maintaining of drains
7. Did you use the BMP guidance in your installation and management of your drains?
8. Ideas to improve your use of drains.