Improving Your Landscaping

Posted on: 5 May 2016

Landscaping on a slope can present challenges for homeowners. Keeping plants in place and preventing erosion are two main concerns for people who own sloped properties. Knowing what you can do to properly landscape your yard can help you plan the garden that you want.    

Plant Ground Cover

Ground cover is the easy landscaping solution for homeowners who want a low-maintenance plant that will be attractive and will also prevent erosion. Some of the most prolific ground covers include:

• Ivy. Ivy will grow in conditions ranging from shade to part sun. Once established, ivy will tolerate drought conditions or wet soil. Ivy is one of the most popular ground covers because it requires basically no maintenance, except for the occasional pruning to keep it from invading territory where it doesn't belong.
• Sweet fern. Sweet fern can grow in USDA zones 2 through 8, and though it will tolerate some shade, it prefers full sun. Sweet fern is tough and, like ivy, a prolific grower.

If you're considering planting ground cover on your sloped lawn, consider adding an attractive, curved path for walking through the middle. This will add visual interest to your lawn and may make it easier to access the middle parts of the slope if it should become necessary.  

Use Netting to Hold Down the Soil

If you would like to plant something a little more varied and interesting, lay down jute netting on the soil before planting flowers or shrubs. Jute netting enables whatever is planted on your slope to stay in place, whatever that plant may be.

Once the netting is in place, it's a good idea to plant something that will need little attention throughout the year. This will help you avoid grueling trips up and down the slope just to prune or weed. If you're not sure what type of low maintenance plant to install on your slope, consider local wild flowers. They should be well-suited to your growing conditions and won't need a lot of extra watering or weeding in order to thrive.

Install a Retaining Wall

Instead of landscaping on the hill, you may instead wish to install a retaining wall, which can flatten your yard and create a useable landscape. If you're thinking about installing a retaining wall to level your yard, talk to an experienced landscape designer and contractor, to ensure that your retaining wall is structurally sound, adequate for your needs and attractive. For more information about dealing with (or flattening) a sloped lawn, talk to an experienced landscape contractor (such as one from Design Scapes of Manasota Inc). He or she will be able to offer you suggestions and answer your questions.