g'day riverbend7,

not sure what you mean by pocket gophers? but if that means those tunneling critters they could be a problem in control.

but basically all you need do is determine where you need the beds and fruit tree orchid and get started. if you plant or build gardens along the contours you will do better at controlling water run off, that is the way i do it and it works well.

you don't say much ie.,. rainfall average, soil type etc.,. but if it's growing pasture grass it can't be too bad.

for the beds use raised beds information on my site on the 'building a garden' page and link to my latest projest in the blog of ausgarden site.

if you are able slash the grass where you are going to plant/grow things and use that as mulch around the fruit trees, along the contour lines or on the vege' gardens.

if the ground has slope and you need to get water into the soil to make the block viable i would suggest swalling and to keep it simple and low visual impact on the landscape i found rip swalling to be ideal. but apart from that keep it simple hey?

with tunneling critters one way to consider stopping them from coming into the beds from below is to lay that galvanised chain wire (fencing wire) down first then build the beds on top, the wire will last a very long time. if they are clinmbing critters then build a 6 foot wire fence around the beds and on the outside of the fence at the top run that 20" flat sheet tin around so they can't climb past it, make sure you ahve as equaly a good gate fitted.

if you need more info' just post more questions or you can e/mail me, your call.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page