How to Garden on a Slope

If your property contains a slope, you may have grumbled about problems with upkeep and erosion. However, a slope can make a dramatic setting for a rock garden or terraced planting. Work with the grade and orientation of the slope to highlight favorite plantings. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Evaluate the grade of your slope. A landscape professional can do this for you. A grade of less than three percent needs no special planning. A grade of three to 10 percent needs erosion control. A grade of 10 percent or more requires retaining walls.

2

Arrange planting rows parallel with the slope on slopes greater than three percent. Follow the natural curve of the hill.

3

Choose deep rooted, spreading specimens for your garden. For sunny slopes, use daylilies, honeysuckle or ice plants. For shady slopes, use lily-of-the-valley or periwinkle.

4

Install a drip irrigation system to reduce water runoff on the slope. Form a slight mound of soil and mulch beneath each plant on the downhill side to form a water-catching basin.

5

Hold the soil back while your plantings get established. Use weed fabric or black plastic. Cocoa bean mulch forms a permeable mat that resists washing away.

6

Save yourself hours of summer toil by eliminating lawn on your slope. If you must grow grass on your slope, mow from side to side.

7

Showcase the geography of your slope by installing a rock garden. The rocks will serve double duty as retaining walls. Rock garden specimens are low-growing and hardy. Plant rock rose, stonecress and wooly yarrow in sunny spots. Plant ferns, creeping phlox and violets in shady spots.