How do you use a ladder on a slope?

[plantingplants]

I feel like the answer must be obvious but I can't figure it out. I was going to pound 10' steel EMT conduit to hold up trellis but I'm on a pretty good grade. They don't make levelers for a-frame ladders do they? I can't find them. Are there any other ways to support big plants besides tall posts and trellis? I suppose you could do two remesh cages but that doesn't sound too great.

Or maybe if you have an inner remesh cage can you get away with just bamboo in the dirt?

 

[corky1968]

?

 

[HillMizer]

I believe they do make levelers never used em. Use you pick or pulaski and dig out spots for legs. Screw blocks of wood securely.

USE A BUDDY. Don't get impaled. The buddy stands on the side most likely to fall pushing into the ladder in a secure manner. Watch a video.

Orchard Ladder!

Little Giant type ladder

Scaffolding

 

[timmy]

I'll second that. An orchard ladder is what you want. Perfect for working on slopes.

 

[corky1968]

Why mess around?

 

[plantingplants]

Thanks! Those things are expensive.. I guess if I'm going to shell out for one I might as well get the Little Giant ladder since it's more versatile. Big plants cost quite a bit

 

[Tonygreen]

carefully, and try not to climb 40 footers lashed to a tree with nobody footing ha

 

[HillMizer]

Werner makes one like little giant but cheaper find at HD. Orchard ladder still is the best. Wise decisions like passing on the micronized tourmaline and wildcrafted black strap kombucha plant tonic will save you enough to buy an orchard ladder.

My worker's comp kind of sucks. They (me) gives me some herb and tells me to rest until the impalement feels better.

 

[Punisher 421]

what is an orchard ladder? I have never heard of one

 

[FoothillFarming]

number one cause of death in the trades is falling off a 6' ladder. Be careful.

 

[HillMizer]

what is an orchard ladder? I have never heard of one

Punisher, Not be be a jerk but you should probably do an internet search for orchard ladder. You're probably going to be doing a lot of searching like. You're going to need some YouTube university works wonders.

 

[Punisher 421]

lol sorry hillmizer. everyone was posting pics of diff ladders so I figured someone would show me

 

[DoubleTripleOG]

The "little giant" ladder would work. Kinda pricey, but will last for just about ever. I'm sure other companies have something similar as well.

 

[_tessarecting]

My friends dad died falling off a 6' ladder...I'll never forget it...I always get sketched out by them now.

I'm in the same boat minus the hill. Good idea on the emt. Probably cheaper than t posts? Good luck on your support mission...heat waves coming back soon get it done!

 

[plantingplants]

Wow, number one cause from just a six ft ladder. How does that even work? That's sketchy. To pound my fence posts in I stood on my car and last year threw myself off when I missed the post. No injuries but if it the emt was shorter than 10 ft I could see how I could get impaled.

Tess, yea cheaper than t posts. $2-3. Only for low wind. I've seen 1/2" do fine as the main support for 15 ft plants- one layer of trellis when they're young, one on top, and another layer hung from the same 4 emt posts when they fill out. But last year a friend had the wind mangle them at a different spot. I think 3/4 and 1" is probably still a lot cheaper than tall t-posts.

 

[_tessarecting]

What do you use to connect the trellis? Tech screws?

 

[plantingplants]

Haha no way. I learned from a dude who did everything as cheaply and as easily as possible (but still effective). Zip ties.

He's the reason I have a big outdoor swimming pool for a water tank.

 

[_tessarecting]

The dude here before me also had a pool...I want one too but I think rodents would chew through it...thats my theory of the busted ass pool I had to take to the dump...

What about sliding? The trellis doesnt move at all once zip tied? That is kinda surprising I would think they would need something more to hold them in place?

Tech screws are probably a little cheaper but definitely more work to get them in.

 

[plantingplants]

Oh I guess I imagined they cost a lot more than zip ties. Looks like they're around the same price, but yea, way easier.

I've never seen them slide. There were even a couple big plants that didn't get trellis on the top and had their fat top branches break during some rain and rest on the top of the side trellis and they didn't slide.

Here's one of those broken branches giving me a kiss:

 

[HillMizer]

Scaffolding could be an awesome investment it's great for building greenhouses too. I use rebar for posts, it's pretty cheap if you go to real building supply or steel yard.