Hello Ruth,

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension with your question. Your observations are correct and your concerns are valid. The plastic barrier will prevent drainage and will lead to root rot and other issues with the health of any plant you grow in that area. There may be some success with shallow-rooted plants, such as salad greens, as long as they are not overwatered. If you pull back the barrier, but leave the rock, it is possible that there will still be drainage issues due to the potential for a perched water table. However, this would still be an improvement over the current situation. Removing the rock may not be feasible for the operation, but it will certainly limit what plants will grow well in that area.

Simply putting pvc pipes in the soil will not do much of anything to improve aeration. Instead it is important to foster tilth improvement through increasing drainage and adding organic matter, if needed. Consider sending in a soil sample for testing.

Feel free to let us know if you have additional questions or need more resources.

Best,

Allisa Linfield
Horticulture Coordinator, CSU Extension El Paso County