CONTOUR ORCHARD and OTHER PERENNIAL CROPS

Oklahoma Conservation Practice Job Sheet 331 01

Landowner

WHAT IS CONTOUR ORCHARD AND OTHER Contour orchards slow runoff from the land and PERENNIAL CROPS? increases water infiltration. This in turn reduces Contour orchard and other perennial crops is planting excessive sediment and other contaminants from and growing trees or other perennial crops on the moving off site and improves water use efficiency. contour across a field. WHERE THE PRACTICE APPLIES PURPOSE Contour orchard and perennial crops is a Contour orchard and other perennial crops is used on conservation option for sloping orchards where sheet sloping land where crops are grown to: and rill erosion is a problem. Contour orchard and  Reduce sheet and rill soil erosion perennial crops may need to be used in combination  Reduce transport of excessive sediment and with other conservation practices to achieve desired other associated contaminants. objectives.  Improve water use efficiency with improved infiltration. WHERE TO GET HELP For assistance in planning a contour orchard layout, HOW IT HELPS THE LAND contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Contour orchard and other perennial crops is very Service or your local Conservation District office. effective at reducing sheet and rill erosion. .

September, 2016 JS 331 01 APPLYING THE PRACTICE CONSIDERATIONS The width of the strips will need to be determined Fields that are cut by gullies or have strongly so that the erosion goal for the field is met. Keep in undulating topography are not well suited for this mind to try and install the rows to best facilitate the practice because of the difficulty of meeting the row operation of machinery. grade criteria.

Vegetation between the rows shall consist of A topographic survey or topo map helps to see if the erosion-resistant or sediment trapping crops such as desired planting pattern will fit the slopes. grasses or legumes, hay crops, fallow un-tilled small grain residue or close grown crops that provide the Following the level contour may not be desirable needed protective cover during the target erosion where slow drainage may increase disease problems period. or where furrows could fill with water and overtop.

Soil loss from the field will not exceed the soil loss Outward sloping benches are subject to erosion objective. Widths of equipment in the operation caused by runoff from slopes above the bench. should be considered when establishing with the row. Example: three widths of a 5 ft mower width can This practice works best as a system in combination accommodate a 15 ft row spacing. with vegetative ground cover and appropriate irrigation conveyance practices, where applicable. The maximum row grade should not exceed one- half the up-and-down hill slope percent used for Vegetative ground cover, particularly in alleys conservation planning, or 10 percent when between rows of trees/vines, in row furrows, and on conservation cover is provided in the alley, terraces and diversions can increase infiltration, whichever is less. reduce runoff, aid in controlling erosion, provide habitat for beneficial species and pollinators, and facilitate nutrient cycling.

Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops – Design Sheet Purpose (Check all that apply) Reduce sheet and rill soil erosion Reduce transport of excessive Improve water use efficiency with sediment and other associated improved infiltration contaminants

Field Planning Slope Planning Slope Length % Absolute Contour Row Grade Planned

Additional Design Information, Management and Maintenance

September, 2016 JS 331 01