To enhance pomegranate production on marginal gravelly lands, our study evaluated standardized planting techniques in an 8-year-old orchard. We employed trenching, wider pit excavation, pit digging, and auger digs with dimensions of 1 and 2 meters. Utilizing native soil from barren land, with or without spent wash, and mixing it with black soil up to 1 meter deep, we assessed growth parameters, leaf nutrients, and fruit yield. The trench and wider pit methods outperformed others, yielding greater above-ground biomass (>7.03 t tree-1), root biomass (2.5 t tree-1), and cross-sectional area (3.3 m² tree-1). Additionally, trench planting enhanced leaf phosphorus (0.28%) and potassium (1.8%) levels, fruit juice content (48.5%), total soluble solids (16.05°), and fruit yield (>9.3 t ha-1). The trench method also fostered longer roots at 90–150 cm radial distance and deeper roots at 40–60 cm depth. In summary, the trench and wider pit methods, combined with a soil mixture, are recommended for sustainable, high-quality fruit production in shallow gravelly terrains, thereby improving food security and the livelihoods of farmers in arid regions.