Planting on Slopes (forum)

Richard Walter starts with ...
Hi guys,

I have a few fruit trees to plant out in my backyard which faces north and has a slight to moderate slope.

I'm wondering how to best plant fruit trees on a slope to maximise drainage yet harvest/retain water from run-off and irrigation? Im aware of swales but I only have a few tree to plant and I don't particularly want to plant them on contour in a straight row.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Richard :)
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 10th August 2007 7:55am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author HappyEarth1
Wollongong
#UserID: 215
Posts: 94
View All HappyEarth1's Edible Fruit Trees

Kath says...
If you don't want to do major earthworks, terracing or swales I would suggest that you select each site and dig large holes, flattening the planting site as you dig it out and mound it if necessary. As the run off or irrigation water runs down the hill it will reach the flattened planting site, slow down and run into the hole where it is wanted. If you are watering the trees the water will not just run off down the hill but will stay where the tree is, sloping the planting site back in to the hill will also help with this. You will be left with a cut on the top side of the hole but you can hide this with a think layer of organic mulch.

Time: 10th August 2007 11:24am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Kath
Cawongla
#UserID: 2
Posts: 363
View All Kath's Edible Fruit Trees

rickywatson1 says...
Which irrigation system is best for fruit trees?

Time: 26th June 2014 5:14pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author rickywatson1
MOUNT HAWTHORN,6016,WA
#UserID: 9205
Posts: 8
View All rickywatson1's Edible Fruit Trees

n1brow says...
What did you end up doing in the end and was it successful? I have a similar slope but it slopes it upward from my house and not downwards like yours. I plan to build up the soil as I have compacted clay, and want to ensure that we have good capture of water, but also allow good drainage.

Time: 26th August 2025 2:20pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author n1brow
LYSTERFIELD,3156,VIC
#UserID: 64621
Posts: 1
View All n1brow's Edible Fruit Trees