Good questions...The professional tile installer was going to use a machine that essentially looks like a big knife that cuts a trench just wide and deep enough for the tile to sit in. He doesn't put any gravel when he does it this way. I was going to add gravel below and on top of the perforated drain tile before back filling.

The field will be put into a government CRP program next spring. If I do install a tile, I want to do it before I plant the CRP grasses. It will never be tilled again.

A little background about my 1 acre pond. It has leaked since it was dug 5 years ago. Long story short...we dug it deeper last spring and it is holding water much better now. I do pump water into it from my well. The field does not need drainage, but if I can get water from it it may be worth it. I'm looking at around 700' of tile that I'd install from the top of field ending in the pond.