The use of lighter equipment and less frequent tractor passage in the vineyard will reduce soil compaction. Slow internal soil drainage is a very serious problem in Texas. All manuscripts on grape culture indicate that well drained soil is essential, but many growers fail to realize just how important it really is until vineyard management becomes difficult. The French have used tile drains one meter below the rows of poorly drained soil for over 200 years. Therefore, the rapid movement of water into and out of the root zone is absolutely essential in maintaining good soil air.
Internal drainage is very difficult to test.
To confirm the SCS Map data, test holes need to be dug to determine the actual soil depth at a site. The hole can also be filled with water during very heavy rainfall periods to determine how deep the soil actually drains. One hour after filling a hole, the water level will indicate the depth of good drainage. This is the depth of good soil. Texas soils come in a wide range of colors.