Establishing a clearing

[debushau]

I have a small cleared patch which is about 1/2 acre in size. The patch is on a hill/ledge which does not seem to be great at growing anything (except hemlock) - there's maybe 3 feet of shale and then you get to the solid ledge. There's not much in the way of topsoil - an inch or two.

My goal is to start a veg patch and put in a few apple/pear trees. Now, I know it's probably not the best place to start but it's near the house and the remainder of the land is downhill and frankly, not much better in quality until you get near a pond/wetland on the opposite side of the property. I don't really want to make a clearing near the wetlands as it's 10 minutes away plus the size of the pond can be unpredictible. Also, there happens to be a small shed right up near the clearing and a water supply (why, I don't know).

I wanted to get some advice on whether it's feasible to get this established as a garden and how to do it.

I was thinking about doing a few things: (i) buying enough topsoil to spread about a foot deep over the area; (ii) put down some kind of fertilizer (maybe after getting the soil sampled); (iii) putting in a fence to keep out the deer and rabbits; and (iv) tilling it up good. My immediate aim was to get it done to plant a few fruit trees in November.

Any advice on where I might be going wrong?

 

[ToadHill]

If you can get compost use it in place of topsoil. I'd use about 3 or 4 inches and till it in. As far as fertilizer goes I'd fertilize only the plants with something that the extension recommends after your soil test is done. It makes no sence to fertilize the weeds, they'll grow fast enough as it is.

Many municipalities make compost from grass clippings and they sell it for less than you would have to pay for topsoil.

 

[debushau]

Thanks - I will look into compost, that will provide some organic matter. I don't think I need a whole lot since according to the PA guide, fruit trees need good drainage (which the shale provides) more than good soil.

 

[nate_m]

- there's maybe 3 feet of shale and then you get to the solid ledge.

My goal is to start a veg patch and put in a few apple/pear trees.

Any advice on where I might be going wrong?

If that's Marcellus Shale you got there, you may just want to put up a natural gas well.

I hear you guys in the northeast are lousy with it!

 

[forgeblast]

This is what i did, i made raised beds from pt landscaping timbers, that way no matter how swampy or rocky the ground was i could still plant. There are rootstocks that you can use that will tolerate a more wetland area on the apple side. You must fence in the apples or the deer will decimate you. Ill post the link later of where i am going to get some apples for when i enroll in CRP program. Last pa is rock with bits of topsoil, everywhere...lol we can grow rock better then most plants. But take something like blueberries which i start on a raised mound of dirt and they have a shallow root system, its perfect for are area.
good luck any questions let me know. Ps our soil is pretty acidly you will have to lime your soil to get a good harvest on certain vegs.
Forgeblast
(also in NEPA)