Tips for Working With a Sloped Yard

Landscaping a slope presents numerous challenges, all related to gravity. If you don’t get it right, the whole project ends up at the bottom of the hill. Here are a few helpful ideas to build success on your next slope project.

A common and simple way to landscape a slope is by filling it with a single plant type. This method is effective, if uninspired. For a bit more interest, consider blending a mix of foliage colors and textures, growth habits and even adding in non-plant elements like boulders. Planting a diverse selection is not just nice to look at, but also hedges against disease or insect problems which could be a disaster in a monoculture.

Turfgrass is a possibility on a slope. Just remember to divert runoff water that would flow across the area prior to planting grass. Between sod and seed, sod is the easier to establish. The length of the rectangles should run across the slope, not up and down. Stagger the seams like brickwork as new rows are added. Use turf staples to anchor the pieces of sod to the ground.

Trailing ground cover plants like ivy, pachysandra, vinca and many others are very helpful on sloped ground. These plants send runners across the ground that root into the soil wherever the stems touch. Many are also fast growers, making them economical choices for planting en masse.

Juniper has become the ubiquitous choice for slope plantings because of its rugged dependability in tough environments. Don’t let your imagination stop there. As with all planting sites, each slope has unique variables such as sunlight/shade, soil type, climate and the individual needs of the landscape (a privacy screen, shade tree, specimen plant, etc.). Use complementary trees and shrubs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Sometimes sections of a slope must be leveled to increase their functionality. One way to accomplish this is with terracing. Carve the land to the required shape and use landscape timbers to hold smaller slopes in place.

Steep hills may require retaining walls, either as part of a terracing project or simply to hold off erosion. Walls may be made of timbers, blocks or natural stone. Timbers are inexpensive, but have the shortest lifespan. Manufactured blocks are simple to work with because of their uniformity, and last a very long time. Natural stone offers longevity and a particularly “earthy” look, but requires the highest degree of skill to install.

When slopes must be traversed regularly, steps or stairs make the trip safe and protect the slope against erosion. Steps may be made of wood, stone or concrete blocks.

When growing conditions are especially difficult, or simply for a “clean” look, nothing beats a layer of mulch. Bark, shredded wood, and pine straw are all suitable mulches for slopes. Mulch can migrate downhill, so be sure to apply a three-inch layer (minimum). There are also a number of mulch “glues” on the market to help solve the drifting mulch issue.

Nothing looks worse in a manicured landscape than a weed-filled juniper slope. Although slopes are often landscaped in a way that is intended to “minimize” maintenance, to keep these areas looking their best, be sure to touch them up a few times each year. Keep trees and shrubs pruned as needed. Remove dead plants. Touch up mulch. Pull or treat for weeds.