Growing on extremely steep slopes

[varanoid]

I found a few spots that are very condusive to growing outdoors with plenty of light, quality soil, and very discreet. Only problem is that they are on some VERY steep slopes. Hauling water, while possible, would be an extremely big pain, not to mention dangerous. There are accessable areas that are above the potential spots where I would be growing and am wondering if there is anything that I could rig that could water from above? Would still need to haul the water, but at least not on such a steep slope. Also any pointers on growing on very steep slopes?

 

[hotrodharley]

I found a few spots that are very condusive to growing outdoors with plenty of light, quality soil, and very discreet. Only problem is that they are on some VERY steep slopes. Hauling water, while possible, would be an extremely big pain, not to mention dangerous. There are accessable areas that are above the potential spots where I would be growing and am wondering if there is anything that I could rig that could water from above? Would still need to haul the water, but at least not on such a steep slope. Also any pointers on growing on very steep slopes?

Ever see anybody with an IV?

 

[varanoid]

Yeah I have but I couldnt hide a reservior (IV bag) at this location that would allow a gravity feed. I should have prefaced that this will be my first outdoor grow. I guess one of my main concerns is controlling the rate of flow, and possibly overwatering. I could hide some hose down to the location, but an actual reservior is not possible

 

[Dr Kynes]

if yoiu cant dig a hole big enough for a 2-3 gallon ice cream pail with a little hole in the bottom and a fill neck sticking up then the spot is not that discreet.

 

[Guerillia Farmer]

terrace the land your going to plant on.... the chinese have farmed on mountain slopes for centuries

 

[stonerman]

If the slope is that steep and you cant manage to haul water down there, just set up a 10 gallon reservoir near your plants with a green garden hose running from the reservoir up the slope, possibly hidden with leaves. You can rig up some kind of funnel very easy at the top, keep it small, enough to pour 5 gallon buckets of water through it. So my theory is you can haul two five gallon buckets of water to the top of the slope, pour it through the funnel, down the hose right to the reservoir at the bottom, saving you the painful progress of walking down the slope with heavy water. One thing is key, and that is growing on southern slopes, marijuana enjoys being planted on southern slopes, because of maximum sun exposure. One factor that does come into play with slopes is when there is a lot of rain, erosion can happen, washing the plants away. But growing on a slope can also play in your advantage, you can set up irrigation channels in the soil making the water running down hill direct to your plants. I have grown in slopes before, and I will dig away at the bank, giving me more of a flat area to have a nice area to plant. An alternative option would be to grow in pots, you could strategically place 5 gallon buckets all along the the steep slope, simply burying the bottom 6-12 inches of the bucket. I hope that helps, happy growing

 

[SenorBrownWater]

my garden is on a hill...i flattened spots for the smartpots to go...sucks when feeding..it's hard to control the bucket...and it loves to hit me in the shins..
i dug out steps..making it somewhat easier ...i water via drip lines...good luck

 

[duby55s]

bury some buckets near it like two 5 gallons have a lid on them and then bury them so the heat doesnt bother it much and sun wont either since being no light on them til u unbury it like 10 inches of dirt on top of the bucket in the hole would make sure no sun directly on the water because after you bury them the dirt will settle look more natural til you water again also

 

[duby55s]

bury some buckets near it like two 5 gallons have a lid on them and then bury them so the heat doesnt bother it much and sun wont either since being no light on them til u unbury it like 10 inches of dirt on top of the bucket in the hole would make sure no sun directly on the water because after you bury them the dirt will settle look more natural til you water again also

depending on how many plants if more do more grow on the side of a mtn every year

 

[HeartlandHank]

I would think that the water running off would be quite a problem...
Maybe use a wetting agent, dripper (flow) and/or build a small retaining wall.

If you mean container growing... then just running drip irrigation from the top of the slope would do. It sounds like you already know that though.

 

[jtmx23]

Not sure what you have access to, but if you do have the money and resources a 250 to 1000 gallon reservoir positioned up above the garden would make everything easier. Depending on the slope of the hill it would need to be at least 25-50 ft above the garden to get decent pressure. To get the water to the top you would need a water pump and some sort of long hose that would reach up to your reservoir from down below (that's if you have access to water). This could be a little excessive for you but thought it was worth mentioning. I did have a similar setup that was done using irrigation, all gravity fed and run on timers. Once set up it made life much easier.

 

[RDGgreenthumb]

I grow on a steep slope. Took a pointer from our ancestors and made a terrace to direct water and prevent soil loss. Chyeah.

 

[varanoid]

Great pointers thanks guys. I'll figure something out and when I do share with you all. Maybe I'll do a journal to document. I get virtually no rain in the summers so digging to funnel water would be useless. That being said, my only challenge will be to figure a watering system that will work. Got about a month to figure it out, spring is coming up quick!

 

[duby55s]

please do share what you did when everything is figured out and yes spring is rolling in soon about damn time the year begins in spring