Planting on a hillside

19 years ago

Hello there!

I have just purchased a new home in the Cincinnati area and I have a few questions. Parts of the yard are on a pretty good slope, with the back yard having several places where the top soil and turf is being washed away. My biggest problem here is trying to mow the hillside, so I am looking for suggestions as to what types of plants I can use in this area to contain the erosion and make mowing the yard easier.

I'm concentrating on the front yard for now. There is a drainage ditch runs alongside the property line, cutting in toward my property in the back. This ditch will be replaced with covered drainage tile by the city in the near future. It does appear that there is a temporary easement on my property for heavy equipment, so I'm going to hold off to see the extent of the work to be done before taking on the back yard.

Here is a photo of my front yard and "slope" in question. This area gets a decent amount of afternoon sun, but appears pretty well drained. The turf here is in much better shape then the back, even though it's steeper.

If anyone could provide suggestions or assistance I'd appreciate it!!

Shannon

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1073718}}

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Comments (3)

shadowgarden
19 years ago
creeping phlox would work
jimbo45247
19 years ago
I'd put up a small retaining wall next to the drive using those smaller preformed blocks you can purchase at Lowe's / HD. Maybe only three or four rows high. Backfill accordingly to remove the serious slope. Build yourself a three to four ft. wide planting bed and landscape to your liking. Some of those landscaping lights would be a nice added touch. If I recall from another post, you have a similar, but shorter slope going back the drive. You can carry the wall back to that portion of the drive and even out that area as well and provide some continuity as well.
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jeanner
19 years ago
All of my gardens are on slopes. I just build a small bed using rocks - the idea was to mimic rock outcroppings. I didn't have any really large rocks so I tried to group them. I don't have much planted in it yet but I could post a picture if it would help.

My main garden area is on a fairly steep slope that started out as a erroded, barren mess. The main feature is a small pond and stream. Once the plants got established they have done really well, but it did take yards of compost and mulch to help get the plants established. My home page shows my pond and surrounding garden - maybe you will get some ideas there.

Sunset books has a great book on hillside gardening - I found it at Lowes - it is very reasonably priced. Also, check on the Landscape Design forum as there are always posts about hillside gardening.

Also, just a suggestion about mowing grass on a slope - a self-propelled mower makes it much easier and much safer.

Here is a link that might be useful: My home page - click on the Pond Page