Erosion control palntings....

[BostonBull]

I have an 70% (+/- 5%) grade in my backyard at my new house. It is all fresh fill as this was just built. The grass isn't rooted yet, and there is nothing on the bank. It is starting to erode pretty bad. I was thinking of some carpet junipers, and just letting them go. Someone else recommended forsythia. I like the Forsythia idea better but am afraid they will really take off and grow down the slope into my neighbors yard.

The slope is roughly 20' long then levels off for 10'-15' until the property line and my neighbors lawn. I don't see this slope at all and will be installing a fence soon. I just don't want to be the sh*t head neighbor.

So..........what says you?

 

[treevet]

I am not well versed in the planting of shrubs for this hilly terrain but they need more drought tolerance than if somewhere else obviously. What I did want to say is that pine needles make a real good mulch on a hill until you get something established. They won t wash away and look nice if weeded. I ve been there.

 

[treevet]

Just noticed you had grass planted. Disregard highly technical advice pls.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would start with a annual rye grass that will germinate in 3 days.

The juniper is a good idea, depending on the exposure. it is easy to prund back as it grows.

If you have any nurseries that deal in the funky cvs. pines, there is a really neat protrate limber pine that works as a ground cover.

Add in prairie plantings for soil stabilization, because they will put roots down 8-15 feet. The neighbors would not complain about a wall of cone flower, black/brown eyed suzan and the like.

70% for 20 ft i would have terraced but that is just kibitzing after the fact.

 

[Frank Boyer]

I have an 70% (+/- 5%) grade in my backyard at my new house. It is all fresh fill as this was just built. The grass isn't rooted yet, and there is nothing on the bank. It is starting to erode pretty bad. I was thinking of some carpet junipers, and just letting them go. Someone else recommended forsythia. I like the Forsythia idea better but am afraid they will really take off and grow down the slope into my neighbors yard.

The slope is roughly 20' long then levels off for 10'-15' until the property line and my neighbors lawn. I don't see this slope at all and will be installing a fence soon. I just don't want to be the sh*t head neighbor.

So..........what says you?

I am surprised that you have a 70 percent slope without a retaining wall. Fresh fill on that steep of a grade would slide in my area because of the heavy winter rains. I hope that the slope is quite a distance from the house. You may have to change the drainage to keep large amouts of water from running down that slope.

 

[BostonBull]

I am surprised that you have a 70 percent slope without a retaining wall. Fresh fill on that steep of a grade would slide in my area because of the heavy winter rains. I hope that the slope is quite a distance from the house. You may have to change the drainage to keep large amouts of water from running down that slope.

I am as surprised as you are. The land IS eroding away. it is standing against a silt fence right now, and some OK alot in my neighbors lawn. I bought this house from the developer, and my neighbor is thinking of suing him.

I need to do something about this before I install a fence, or else it will be my neighbors fence!

 

[Thillmaine]

Being that your on the Shore, you ever think about rosa rugosa or the rugosa rose. Highly tolerant of salt, spreads, only problem is it is thorny. Otherwise, blooms pink or red or white all summer. Other options, blue rug, icee blue, junipers of course. My experience with banks is always plant them heavy, with any sort of plant material, as long as it has roots plant it. Once again thought, I live onthe coast, I got sandy soil and all I ever pant is rugosas. Just my 2 cents.

 

[kevinj]

You mentioned you planted grass. Was that on the slope ?
If so, isn't it washed away then ?

Have you thought about terracing the hillside ?

You may want to consider low maintenance vegetation.

Many of the above suggestions are very good.

You may also consider periwinkle (vinca minor),
or crown vetch.

Another option would be sweet peas. Colorful and fast growing.
And spreads rappidly.

 

[livewire]

You mentioned you planted grass. Was that on the slope ?
If so, isn't it washed away then ?

Have you thought about terracing the hillside ?

You may want to consider low maintenance vegetation.

Many of the above suggestions are very good.

You may also consider periwinkle (vinca minor),
or crown vetch.

Another option would be sweet peas. Colorful and fast growing.
And spreads rappidly.

 

[rebelman]

Like Thillmaine said, Plant them heavy, with any sort of plant material. Get it done.

 

[BostonBull]

I never thought of/tried grass. Do you think I could just get away with this, and weed whack it every couple of weeks?

Out of the plantings that KEVIJ mentioned will those all be manageable? My neighbors yard is only around 15'-20' away from the hill, and I don't want what I plant to take over his yard.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

Forsythia

I'd go with this option. Cheap, good clolor in the spring, and can take a good whacking. My2cents

 

[woodville]

You could try this stuff then hydro seed or wildflower seed the pi$$ out of it http://www.agridrain.com/erosionproduct.asp?prodtype=602

 

[kevinj]

I'd go with this option. Cheap, good clolor in the spring, and can take a good whacking. My2cents

This may be an O.K. shrub to plant somewhwere in the landscape,
but he needs something soon to prevent erosion.
I think the sweet pea, with a covering of straw,
would suffice. At least for this year.
After you settle in, maybe next year, you can add more plantings.

 

[BostonBull]

am leaning toward the forsyhtia, my neighbor has to look at it and would rather look at the forsythia, than a bunch of low lying "weeds" as he refers to them.

I threw some grass seed down there today just to see what would happen, figure it couldnt hurt.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Most perennial grasses take 21 days to germinate, which is why I used the annual rye in my first post.

If you go with forsythia, then mix in wygeila for a longer flower display. Both can take a 1/3 renewal prune every winter after about 4 years. Or you can coppice every few winters, you just loose the next years flowering in the forsythia. I had a client call it his pretzle bush

 

[Frank Boyer]

I am as surprised as you are. The land IS eroding away. it is standing against a silt fence right now, and some OK alot in my neighbors lawn. I bought this house from the developer, and my neighbor is thinking of suing him.

I need to do something about this before I install a fence, or else it will be my neighbors fence!

I would check with the building dept and the plans for your house and see if a 70% grade is legal. Was there an engineering/soils report for the grading on the development? In CA we are held to 30% grades in most cases. You want to straighten out the problem before you fence/plant. If you live there for a few years and change things on the grade then if there is a problem, it is on you. Now you may have recourse with the builder. Do your homework.

 

[A. Stanton]

There are special grasses which only grow to about 6 inches then stop. My neighbor recently planted some on a steep bank and it looks fine. He had the sucker hydro-seeded on. Until the grass comes up, you can put a silt barrier at the bottom on the hill. This will show the neighbor that you are trying and he won't complain.

 

[BostonBull]

UPDATE...

The Builder of this house is a complete A-HOLE!!!!!!! I spoke to the building inspector today, and he told me the builder KNOWS he has to do something about this and he was already cited fro it.

Called the builder he says the guy is a liar and it is legal and he'll plant gras for me on the hill!

 

[kevinj]

UPDATE...

The Builder of this house is a complete A-HOLE!!!!!!! I spoke to the building inspector today, and he told me the builder KNOWS he has to do something about this and he was already cited fro it.

Called the builder he says the guy is a liar and it is legal and he'll plant gras for me on the hill!

BIG DEAL. Grass seed is the cheap way out..
If thats the case,
I would go with sod.
Grass seed will soon wash away, and so will the bank.
A 3 inch layer of black dirt first. Then the sod.
This will prevent any erosion.
But, it will be a pain in the pooper to maintain.
The builder sounds like he should be responsible for 100%
of the bill...

Damn Liars... Hope he didn't lie about anything else...