Grass on a moderate slope

19 years ago

Hello all! I live just north of Milwaukee, in a new subdivision with very few mature trees. I had a professional landscaper install my lawn this spring, and it is (finally) starting to look good.

I have one problem area, however. There is a small slope up to the back of the lot, probably about 4-5 feet high, with the steepest angle being about 45 degrees. What's more, there are a few mature trees on the neighboring property that overhang this area, although with the positioning of the trees I'd say that most of the problem area receives morning sun about 35 to 40% of the day.

My landscaper seeded the area twice--once in late May and once in mid-June, using loose straw to try to keep the seed from washing away. Predictably, that failed because the seed and straw washed away with watering. Most of the area is now bare dirt, although there are some patches of well-established grass here and there.

My landscaper gives a "100% guarantee," and I want to be able to give him suggestions for establishing grass on the slope. I do believe that the area gets enough sun to give more shade-tolerant grasses a chance, if only it gets established well enough. I also know that simple seeding with loose straw isn't going to do it, and that there are products out there designed to address this problem.

Any suggestions?

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Comments (6)

tak2w
19 years ago
If it were my yard, I would put something other than grass on that slope.....mulch bed with some bushes/flowers and/or groundcover. I wouldn't want to have to mow a 45 degree slope. Just my opinion.....
fishinmilw
Original Author
19 years ago
tak2w

Yeah, I know, that may be what I end up doing. There are already other parts of the slope that have no hope (100% shade) where I'll be planting ground cover, and most of it is actually terraced with a perennial garden. However, we just had a beautiful picket fence installed, and I'd hate to cover it up with bushes. I want to give the grass another shot this fall, especially since I can get my landscaper to do it for free!
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quirkyquercus
19 years ago
You should use a straw blanket (a synthetic net-like product) instead of hay on slopes like that. But I agree slops are a pain to maintain, it's enough to make you insane. So all aboard the tree planting train. Just in time for rain.
joepyeweed
19 years ago
North American Green S150 Double net straw blanket. It will hold the seed and the soil on the slope until the grass grows.

(You could use a single net straw blanket, but that may degrade too early. The S150 would hold everything through the winter.)

Here is a link that might be useful: North American Green
philes21
19 years ago
Lay out a few boxes on the slope, with railroad ties or similar. Install sweet woodruff in one, periwinkle in one, and snow on the mountain in the other. Fertilize these beds with only Milorganite or Miracle grow, for three years: at that point, you will observe that one is head and shoulders better than the other two for being attractive, and thriving on the slope.

At that point, kill off the other two, and fill those beds with the winner.
scott504
19 years ago
I had the same problem on my side yard, re-seeded many times and used many different products to hold the seed in place but nothing seemed to work. I got tired of it and put down sod in that area. It worked out great.