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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: barath on February 10, 2019, 11:26:19 AM

Title: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: barath on February 10, 2019, 11:26:19 AM
I'm trying to figure out something that can be direct seeded / scattered for perennial erosion control in a steep orchard.  The context is Southern California, but i'm curious generally for anything that does well in subtropical or tropical areas.

So far the best option for erosion control I can find is Vetiver grass, because its roots go straight down and are known to be very good for erosion control.  But it rarely sets seed, so it can't just be scattered across an eroding hillside.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 10, 2019, 11:37:06 AM
Let the weeds and grass grow naturally?  All the hills are covered in weeds and grass here now with all the rain...  Didnt have to put down seeds, nature took care of it. 
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: skhan on February 10, 2019, 11:48:55 AM
Let the weeds and grass grow naturally?  All the hills are covered in weeds and grass here now with all the rain...  Didnt have to put down seeds, nature took care of it.

I like. This is a great solution

If you want to speed up the process and you or your neighbors have a weedy lawn spread the grass clippings on the bare hillside.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: barath on February 10, 2019, 11:49:49 AM
The problem is that the hillsides I'm dealing with are so steep that the grasses are too shallow rooted to hold them, and the grasses only really have vitality for a few month period before they dry out and wither.  So I'm trying to establish something that can hold the soil.  Longer term oaks or something else drought tolerant with extensive roots would work, but they are slow growing.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: NateTheGreat on February 10, 2019, 12:01:10 PM
The problem is that the hillsides I'm dealing with are so steep that the grasses are too shallow rooted to hold them, and the grasses only really have vitality for a few month period before they dry out and wither.  So I'm trying to establish something that can hold the soil.  Longer term oaks or something else drought tolerant with extensive roots would work, but they are slow growing.

I think that's exactly what the native grasses do. They die back above the soil but their roots continue to hold the soil. These guys have native grasses and erosion control seed packs. I used their native wildflower mix in my yard. https://www.harmonyfarm.com/california-native-grass-mixes/ (https://www.harmonyfarm.com/california-native-grass-mixes/)
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 10, 2019, 12:03:05 PM
Do you have a pic of the hillside?  My property is all very steep hillside.  The majority of it is just the native shaparal vegetation.  Sumac, scrub oak, salvia,...  Its only on the spots I've cleared that grass and wild lettuce, weeds etc has taken over.

You didnt say how many sq ft either.  Is it 5000 ft or 100,000ft ? 

Heres one ornamental hill cover I am really fond of.  It takes a few years to get it established though.


(https://i.postimg.cc/3dRDVsrW/20190210-090042.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dRDVsrW)
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: knlim000 on February 10, 2019, 12:42:52 PM
i know lemon grass is not seed. But I think lemon grass would be great to control erosion.  It has roots that dig into the ground once it is establish. and It can take the weather down in S.CA.
And I think it is easy to plant as well. All you do is stick it into the soil.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 10, 2019, 02:49:34 PM
You can buy lemongrass seeds.  The thing with lemongrass is its tropical and needs water in summer and gets cold damaged in winter.  There are better grasses to use for our arid climate but most of them are highly invasive.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: barath on February 10, 2019, 02:54:06 PM
Do you have a pic of the hillside?  My property is all very steep hillside.  The majority of it is just the native shaparal vegetation.  Sumac, scrub oak, salvia,...  Its only on the spots I've cleared that grass and wild lettuce, weeds etc has taken over.

You didnt say how many sq ft either.  Is it 5000 ft or 100,000ft ? 

Heres one ornamental hill cover I am really fond of.  It takes a few years to get it established though.


(https://i.postimg.cc/3dRDVsrW/20190210-090042.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dRDVsrW)

Interesting.  What is that ornamental cover called?

The hillsides are very steep (probably steeper than 45 degrees) and small pockets like 4000 sq ft here and there.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 10, 2019, 03:34:39 PM
Its a type of ice plant.  Its the neon purple one (delosperma).  Its important to get the right ice plant if you go with that.  Rabbits and deer will eat it all if you get the kind they like.  They dont touch the purple one.  Its ver easy to propogate.  You just cut a 6 to 12" piece and stick it in the ground every foot or so.  It roots and grows on its own and smothers out weeds.  Then you can spread it as you get more of it.  It has to be hand propogated though, its not like the ice plant on the freeway that creeps and sows itself.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71P6IA-FFaL._SX425_.jpg)


Heres a youtube video the guy talks about it for erosion control on hills.


https://youtu.be/q0_HZ7Snqjc
 (https://youtu.be/q0_HZ7Snqjc)
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: barath on February 11, 2019, 06:23:40 AM
Ah, thanks!
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: Ulfr on February 11, 2019, 06:48:31 AM
Would vetiver grow there? I guess same problem as lemongrass but it survives frosts fine here. Have had really good results, though not seeded as specified.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: OCchris1 on February 12, 2019, 01:11:58 AM
Vetiver for the win!
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: Ulfr on February 12, 2019, 03:38:16 AM
Vetiver for the win!

It is really, really good. I initially planted my hedge on contour with slips at 10cm centers (i grew a few clumps to get the slips originally). Now days it is a thick, strong hedge and the only gaps in the entire 70m or so are the two paths my big boof head dogs persist on keeping open.

It looks a bit ragged in the middle of winter or when super dry, but continues to function and freshens up in the spring.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: pineislander on February 12, 2019, 07:19:19 AM
That steepness seems a bit much for an orchard. You might consider some earthworks like terracing on contour before investing in turning the plot into an orchard.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: gozp on February 12, 2019, 11:00:51 AM
You can buy lemongrass seeds.  The thing with lemongrass is its tropical and needs water in summer and gets cold damaged in winter.  There are better grasses to use for our arid climate but most of them are highly invasive.

My cousin who lives 20 mins away from me (unprotected frontyard) have a big lemon grass and never got cold damage. I personally own a small lemon grass on pot & we have been consistently been on the low 30s, 27 the lowest and i dont see no cold damage. I own the lemon grass for 2 yrs now.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: forumfool on February 12, 2019, 01:51:40 PM
Not tropical but trailing rosemary is drought tolerant, deer resistant and has culinary use. Emerald carpet raspberry another possibility. Native plants are probably best choice though
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 12, 2019, 03:37:28 PM
You can buy lemongrass seeds.  The thing with lemongrass is its tropical and needs water in summer and gets cold damaged in winter.  There are better grasses to use for our arid climate but most of them are highly invasive.

My cousin who lives 20 mins away from me (unprotected frontyard) have a big lemon grass and never got cold damage. I personally own a small lemon grass on pot & we have been consistently been on the low 30s, 27 the lowest and i dont see no cold damage. I own the lemon grass for 2 yrs now.

Ok my mistake sorry for that.  It just seems very tropical and doubtful it will work out well on the side of a hill with no irrigation in CA summers.  But maybe?   

There are certainly better grasses for that purpose.  My neighbor has a lot of this clumping grass and it loves to sow itself on steep bare hillsides.  So much so that I am costanly removing new clumps.  Its very invasive stuff but it definitely has a very strong root system.  Has to be dug out.  Will take a pic of it later today. 
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: spaugh on February 12, 2019, 05:37:49 PM
Not sure if this vetiver but it sows it self on steep bare spots.  Its like natures fix for bare hillsides.  It also spreads everywhere.  Wish my neighbors didnt have it growing.  It doesnt need any water and has super strong root system.


(https://i.postimg.cc/JDgBqGRC/20190212-135647.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDgBqGRC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ftk9mxnv/20190212-135715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ftk9mxnv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sBmYpjB3/20190212-135955.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBmYpjB3)
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: gozp on February 12, 2019, 06:49:52 PM
Not sure if this vetiver but it sows it self on steep bare spots.  Its like natures fix for bare hillsides.  It also spreads everywhere.  Wish my neighbors didnt have it growing.  It doesnt need any water and has super strong root system.


(https://i.postimg.cc/JDgBqGRC/20190212-135647.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDgBqGRC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ftk9mxnv/20190212-135715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ftk9mxnv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sBmYpjB3/20190212-135955.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBmYpjB3)

Yep u are right... those r strong can survive drought and mid 20s temps as far as my observation to my neighbors yard.
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: Ulfr on February 12, 2019, 07:29:48 PM
Doesn’t look like vetiver (plus the vetiver normally used is sterile). Vetiver is used all over for exactly this purpose. If it grows in your location it would be hard to go past. Very strong, deep roots and thick enough above ground to hold back sediment. It will actually build a self levelling terrace/berm up behind the hedge if there is erosion uphill (mine has).

There are a bunch of instillation guides/manuals around. Here are three from a quick google search:

http://www.vetiver.org/USA_Vetiver%20Installation%20Guide_2012.pdf (http://www.vetiver.org/USA_Vetiver%20Installation%20Guide_2012.pdf)

http://vnvn.org.vn/img/uploads/VNVN/Gioi_thieu/Gioi_thieu_co_vetiver/TVN-Manual_Vf_3.pdf (http://vnvn.org.vn/img/uploads/VNVN/Gioi_thieu/Gioi_thieu_co_vetiver/TVN-Manual_Vf_3.pdf)

https://www.vetiver.org/USP_vetiver%20training%20manualo.pdf (https://www.vetiver.org/USP_vetiver%20training%20manualo.pdf)
Title: Re: Subtropical / tropical direct seed erosion control for steep orchard?
Post by: Coach62 on February 13, 2019, 07:56:15 AM
Check into perennial peanut. Drought tolerant and nitrogen fixing.