What vegetables can I plant on a slope and what's the right way to do it?
General near Johnstown, PA
Towards the end of my back yard there is a slope down towards an old railroad. I go back and forth on whether I should plant anything there. We usually plant in an area closer to the house but it is tempting to extend our garden to plant a few more vegetables. The truth is I am not sure of what to plant and how to plant it. I'd say it's a gradient of about 30 degrees or more. I'd appreciate any advice.
Posted
by: Larry Pelenski
(4 points)
Posted: April 11, 2013
Answers
Depending on it orientation to the sun your prevailing winds your zone ect. your mileage may very. If the slope is north facing it will receive less light. South facing it will receive more light. if it is east facing it will be cooler and wetter. If it is west facing drier and warmer If the slope currently has vegetated growth grass or what not. stripping it of the growth will help the ground erode out. So be prepared to replace vegetation before you dig into it.
So I recommend researching swales (an earthwork) some concepts of keyline, terraces and the like. So you can utilize the space without destroying the slope.
Regardless your talking about an area you don't visit often but don't want to waste the space. Think of perennials planting out some blackberry, raspberry, blueberry (depending on your soil pH) , maybe an asparagus patch. With some edible shrubs (hazel nut), or dwarf trees, if you have the space standard fruit trees. This way you wont feel the space is lost but you wont be visiting this site all the time so it makes it a great place for plants that can take care of themselves for most of the year.
Good luck feel free to add information, and tell us where you're heading with your slope.
So I recommend researching swales (an earthwork) some concepts of keyline, terraces and the like. So you can utilize the space without destroying the slope.
Regardless your talking about an area you don't visit often but don't want to waste the space. Think of perennials planting out some blackberry, raspberry, blueberry (depending on your soil pH) , maybe an asparagus patch. With some edible shrubs (hazel nut), or dwarf trees, if you have the space standard fruit trees. This way you wont feel the space is lost but you wont be visiting this site all the time so it makes it a great place for plants that can take care of themselves for most of the year.
Good luck feel free to add information, and tell us where you're heading with your slope.
Posted
by: Wurgulf
(1 point)
Posted: April 12, 2013
Larry Pelenski commented,
Well that is some food for thought Wurgulf. Thank you for your detailed reply. Luckily the slope is South facing, well - more South West really. I really like your idea of planting fruits like blackberry and raspberry. We don't currently have any in the garden, perhaps I will dedicate the space to that. I will keep you posted on progress. about 11 years ago.
Well that is some food for thought Wurgulf. Thank you for your detailed reply. Luckily the slope is South facing, well - more South West really. I really like your idea of planting fruits like blackberry and raspberry. We don't currently have any in the garden, perhaps I will dedicate the space to that. I will keep you posted on progress. about 11 years ago.
I've definitely had luck with brambles on steep slopes in the past, it just makes pruning not so desirable when it's needed. In Virginia there are some slopes farmers deal with and we've had luck with Brassicas, specifically broccoli and cabbage. They have a nice, stable root system and require minimum up-keep so you don't need to be out in the garden regularly, potentially disrupting soil on the slope.
Terracing is a great idea though, or at least construct something that would allow rainwater to flow down the slope without eroding the soil.
Terracing is a great idea though, or at least construct something that would allow rainwater to flow down the slope without eroding the soil.
Posted
by: Kathryn Fiedler
(72 points)
Posted: April 12, 2013
Larry Pelenski commented,
Hi Kathryn, thanks. Brambles are blackberries right? From what I have read terracing is a good solution. I certainly have some planning to do. Am I right in thinking that if I was to plant cane fruits then Fall is a good time to do it? That would give me a good few months to work on designs before planting. about 11 years ago.
Hi Kathryn, thanks. Brambles are blackberries right? From what I have read terracing is a good solution. I certainly have some planning to do. Am I right in thinking that if I was to plant cane fruits then Fall is a good time to do it? That would give me a good few months to work on designs before planting. about 11 years ago.
Kathryn Fiedler commented,
correct! Blackberries and raspberries are the more popular brambles. We actually recommend that you plant them in late Winter or early Spring. You would be planting dormant canes which naturally "wake up" in the Spring time so it is a perfect time to put them in the ground. If you plant in Fall then the dormant canes will sit there and not establish themselves before the winter. about 11 years ago.
correct! Blackberries and raspberries are the more popular brambles. We actually recommend that you plant them in late Winter or early Spring. You would be planting dormant canes which naturally "wake up" in the Spring time so it is a perfect time to put them in the ground. If you plant in Fall then the dormant canes will sit there and not establish themselves before the winter. about 11 years ago.
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