Need help with large/steep/bare backyard hillside

11 years ago

Hi all,

Where do I begin with this challenging hillside?

This steep slope receives full sun with some shade in the late afternoon (currently summertime here in so cal with 90 degree weather + severe drought).

I'd love to terrace it some day, but at the moment I can only afford to do whatever work can be done on my own.

My main concern at this point is getting some plants established asap.

What can I plant that is drought tolerant and quick to establish? Should I amend the soil at all before planting? So far, I've attempted to transplant some agave pups in a few places as well as some ice plant. I also have some muhly grass, silver sage, and yellow twig to plant. Not sure what will survive, planting anything this late and in this heat. (Should I use shade cloth to protect new plantings from intense sun?).

Access has also been challenging. With no stairs or pathways around this hill, I've had to make do with unsightly 'footholds' to make my way around (hand watering in spots as needed.) Any suggestions for a manageable solution that doesn't make the hill look like a gopher playground?

I'm fairly new to all this, so any suggestions/advice on how to tackle this project would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (5)

W
11 years ago
The best thing for a slope is a variety of plantings with different root depths to hold the soil. http://houzz.com/photos/3566922

You might also want to stake down some coir matting to prevent erosion while your plants take root.
callirhoe123
11 years ago
Talk to the people at a good local nursery re plant choices for this situation and planting instructions.
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hariphx z9A Arizona
11 years ago
ren, I have a slope backyard, though not as big/steep as yours. Was difficult to grow anything on it, even the most hardy plants would die when planted on it. I ended up terracing it with retaining wall blocks. Look around in your neighborhood and see what others have grown in slope. I see some green stuff on the slope on the right side of the pic you posted, is that section terraced? if not the same plants might work in your yard. Google slope gardening and click on images, you will get lot of ideas. You can also get some landscapers who give free estimates to give you some ideas.
User
11 years ago
ren,

Since your back yard is dangerously steep, I would suggest to do nothing for now, save up your pennies to have a pro handle it for you.

You could really hurt yourself trying to garden on that hill. I know your neighbors had pros terrace that, so please don't hurt yourself trying to plant on that.

Some jobs are best handled by the pros. Your hill is one of them.
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
11 years ago
We live on a very steep, but rocky hillside and a previous owner put various terraces on it. Since winter is coming, and to prevent that hillside from slipping, plant a lot of creeping rosemary. Rosemary is drought tolerant. Our house is on top of the slope, but you risk a ton of mud from that hill.

Our entire 1.5 acres are covered with about 12 automatic drip stations, so everything gets water 3 x per week for about 45 minutes.

Junipers, as ugly as they are also are good for erosion. We have many. Thinking about distilling some gin from their berries... NOT!

Trees: Olives are drought tolerant as are figs (once established). Pomegranates seem fine with little water too.

There is also some kind of burlap sand bag ropes that will help hold back mud and water. The house across the ravine from us has it on their big slope.