A water table control system that uses the raising of the water table to add water to the root zone. Water is introduced into parallel open ditches and flows under the root zone through the soil profile to raise the water table to a level that allows for sufficient wetting of the root zone from the water table aquifer below. Closely spaced tile, perforated pipe, or mole drains that run perpendicular to the field ditches are often used to aid in the lateral spreading of water beneath the root zone.