skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Can I grow fruit trees on the slope of a drainage ditch?

11 years ago

I know this sounds like a bazaar question. I have a huge drainage ditch with one not so steep slope and one steep slope. It's what I call full full sun. Southeast.

It is a large area to just leave bare, and I don't have a lot of full sun on my acre property. I want to grow dwarf fruit trees. Could I plant them on the not-so-steep slope? I will have to dig out a rather large area for each tree, amend the soil, and use retaining wall stone around the low side of the hole, so the tree will get enough water. The slopes of the ditch are dry! So is the bottom of it, except during torrential rains in spring, tornado season. Won't be planting any fruit trees in the bottom of it.

Will this work?! Would love your thoughts. Often I post and get no responses.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Charlie
11 years ago
In making your decision, you need to determine if their is the possibility that water flow will uproot/damage the trees; if the roots stay wet too long (they don't like areas with poor drainage); if the area has good soil. If you these problems don't exist, plant them in a terracing type of level so that they can be properly watered.
0
homesteader57
Original Author
11 years ago
No chance they will get too much water! It's dry. Only the very bottom of the ditch gets wet and then only during torrential rains, tornadoes. Soil is very poor. I will have to amend it!
0
Related Discussions
Overgrown Weed Drainage Ditch
Q
Comments (1)
Does the community have a spraying program; if so, lean on them to spray what will more control the weed population. Chances are though they leave that to the properties bordering the ditches. But its worth a try to impress on them that its their land and since there is water in the ditch most times it would prove more healthy for them to control the weed population. If such ditch holds the water as more 'standing' than anything else, it should be sprayed to control the mosquitoes and their larvae. You might mention that. Anytime you use a herbicide, it is usually required to do multiple sprays to effectively kill the greenery.
...See More
What will grow on the slope of a ditch?
Q
Comments (6)
Day lilies, although the seeds may move down the slope into the ditch over the years - the common orange ones are called ditch lilies around here as they are in many of the country road ditches. The ones in front of my house are full of them - unfortunately the county comes and mows the sides of the road at about the same time as they should bloom, so there isn't much of a show some years. I can hope the late freeze slowed things down so I will see lots of blooms. You might want to check with the county authorities to see how widely from the edge of the road they normally mow, AND how wide of a right of way they are entitled to mow, even if they don't do it every year. No point in planting anything but flowers in the right of way, as it will be gone sooner or later. A shrub that could take summer cutting back might do. Otherwise, almost any of the trees and shrubs native to your area should be fine - I would advise against the re-sowers like persimmon - they are in all the fencerows and roadsides here and are a major pain to weed out of my veggie and flower beds. And if the tree will overhang the road, maybe the fruiting trees wouldn't be a good idea, esp. for the purple fruited ones - plus, if it's near your drive, the birds will leave purple droppings all over. Berry bushes - blueberries, high bush cranberry, choke cherry, etc. - have attractive spring flowers and nice berries - for the birds if you don't want to pick from next to the road. Some have good fall color.
...See More
Poor drainage year round - which nut or fruit tree?
Q
Comments (8)
The only one I can think of at the moment would be 'Lecont Hican', which is a hybrid between Pecan and Water Hickory (maybe it would get the wet soil tolerance of it's Water Hickory parent). From what I hear the nuts can still be quite bitter though, so I'm not sure if you would actualy want to eat them or not. Overcup Oak would be a great choice if you didn't need something with edible nuts. Here is a link that might be useful: Oikos
...See More
what type of trees or fruit trees grow in north louisiana
Q
Comments (7)
Hey Steve, There are a lot of people more knowledgeable than me but I'll try to help. I looked up your location and you are in USDA zone 8b which is good for cold hardy citrus. It really depends how much time you want to put into cold protection. I am in South Alabama in 8A and have Satsumas, Changsha, Meyer Lemon, Kumquats, Sanbokan Sweet Lemons, and a Limequat in the ground. This winter my lowest temperature so far was 19 last month. I protect the Satsumas, Lemons and Limequats by sprinklers. The Changshas do well on their on when they get some size on them. Check out some pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jbwindham/Dec2006Freeze As far as wet ground goes there you have a problem. Citrus do not like wet ground. They get foot rot. All is not lost though. I'll bet the LSU Ag Center or your local extension agent can tell you the best rootstock for damp soils. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/ Good luck with the citrus. Jack
...See More
Related Professionals
Allen Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Carson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Franconia Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Simi Valley Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Roxbury Crossing Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Crystal Landscape Contractors · Deer Park Landscape Contractors · Dickinson Landscape Contractors · Eagle Landscape Contractors · Edwardsville Landscape Contractors · Essex Landscape Contractors · Fort Mill Landscape Contractors · Norwalk Landscape Contractors · Point Pleasant Landscape Contractors · Lauderdale Lakes Landscape Contractors
Kevin Reilly
11 years ago
Well, Z7 is borderline but hardy figs and poms can be quite forgiving of soil conditions. Maybe some asian persimmons too... Just prune to size you want...
0
Noogy
11 years ago
My peaches did best on a dry slope. Don't ammend with too much peat or come flood season they'll be waterlogged.
0
User
11 years ago
Who owns this ditch? Even if it is on your property is there an easement? I would hate to see you plant the trees just to have the city or county come through and cut them down.
0
PRO
Granite City Services
11 years ago
I planted several apple trees on the dike of a pond and others on a considerable slope. I had my best luck mounding the soil and planting the bare root tree actually above grade. My soil is quite sandy in some areas but the only amending I've done is adding some richer soil from a different area on my property to the mound soil.

I mulch heavily with woodchips and water if it doesn't rain for 3 weeks or more.

I don't know why the mounding approach seems to work so much better but the results have been pretty consistent. the only negative I've encounterreed is that the semi-dwarf trees on mounds take some staking to keep them growing vertical.
0
glib
11 years ago
Agree with BR, check with the city first. But trees make it in poor soil usually. I planted some mixed trees this spring, my soil is also very poor, and since I had a number of spent mushroom logs, each tree received four in the planting hole (hugelkultur style). They are doing well. I am mentioning all this because topdressing may wash away at that location, but deeply buried wood will not. I would plant and mulch just above the slope anyway.
0

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Ditch the Ordinary Ditch: Create a Realistic Dry Creek Bed

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Here’s how to turn your water runoff system into an eye-catching accent for your landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Yes, You Can Grow an Edible Garden on a Hot, Dry Site

Difficult garden spots don’t need to deter you from planting trees, herbs and other delicious food plants

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

GARDENING GUIDES Yes, You Can Grow Food in a Shady Yard

Your shady garden doesn’t have to be forever barren. Berries, herbs and other shade-loving plants can produce a delicious bounty

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

INSPIRING GARDENS Inside Houzz: A Waterfront Property Ditches the Grass for a Garden

By Annie Thornton

New drought-tolerant plantings and outdoor gathering spaces help this California backyard take in the view without wasting space or water

EARTH DAY Grow a Beautiful Garden With Ecofriendly Greywater

By Greywater Corps

Reducing home water waste means lower bills and a healthier planet. Here's how to set up a greywater home irrigation system that can help

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Ways to Grow Edibles in Small Places

By Matt Kilburn

No big backyard? Join in the grow-your-own fun with these small-space ideas for planting vegetables, fruits and herbs

Sponsored

Grow Landscapes

8 Reviews

Planning Your Outdoor Space in Loundon County?

More Discussions

Which apple tree for zone 8b?

4

Fall strawberries?

0

Please help me with ID of this fig

8

Keep watering strawberries over the winter?

1

How much a pear tree needs 2be trimmed from top at the start of winter

2