Need help controlling erosion on backyard slope
pennywise2013
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
pennywise2013
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with erosion in the front corner of back yard.
Comments (4)Thanks y'all. The erosion is only at the bare areas and it covers pretty much the whole first section of fence. After that it is not eroding but is still on a slope. I will need to dig out some of the soil that has eroded to uncover the bottom portion of the fence and then use some sort of rock or something to cover that bottom portion of fence to hold in the mulch if I use it so it doesn't wash through the chicken wire on the fence when I landscape there. I would plant grass there but with this area in the corner of the yard the dogs go there a lot to lay down or bark at passerbyers but they tend to leave planted areas alone for the most part. If I plant something that will grow kind of tall there to block the view they will spend less time in that area. I guess I'm to the point that I'm wanting to take my backyard back and be able to enjoy it myself since I spend so much time out there with the dogs. I've been planning on this for a couple years but got my plans in motion when one of my dogs died in January and I put in a pond for a memorial area for her....See MoreBackyard lawn and slope help.
Comments (9)Are you inland in SoCal or in the foggy zone near the coast? If you are inland the only grasses that will work with the dog are bermuda and St Augustine. If you are nearer to the coast you can add Kentucky bluegrass to the short list. These grasses may thin out under the dog but they will grow back. Fescue types will die under the dog and will not grow back. Hybrid bermudas and St Augustine must be sodded. Common bermuda and KBG can be seeded. Zoysia is a special category. It will wear out quickly under the dog but will come back...eventually...about 3 years after the dog dies. The retaining wall may have large pieces of organic material like tree trunks or whatever they could find to fill the volume they needed. As that decomposes it creates voids that will eventually settle and create the choppy surface you see. Filling in the contours of the choppy area requires some labor. You'll need topsoil or sand, water, and a drag. A drag can be made from a 6x6 foot piece of chain link with some weights on it and a rope to pull it. First if there are high areas you want to bring down, you might have to do some digging. For the holes, pour the topsoil on until you think it's level. Then drag the drag to smooth out the area. When you think it is perfectly smooth, water it lightly so it doesn't wash away but for at least 30 minutes to saturate all the new soil. It will settle some. Let the soil dry and repeat the process with more topsoil in the holes, drag, and water. When you are satisfied that it is perfectly contoured as you want it and the soil will not settle anymore, then you are ready to seed or sod. Another alternative for the dog is to fill the area with several inches of mulch. There won't be any grass but the mulch is easy on the dog's feet, absorbs urine immediately, and is pretty easy to keep out of the house. Still another alternative is Dutch white clover. The only problem with that is the white flowers attract bees....See MoreNeed help with sloped backyard
Comments (30)To me, it seems as there is less conflict in it now. Still, I am bugged to bits by the landing area of the steps. The landing area seems compromised and it's relationship to lawn seems like an upside down prioritization. In general, I think hardscape is dominant and planting is subordinate. One should make the landing be what it needs to be and make the lawn adapt to it. It may be more evident if you remove the lawn from the picture and replace it with the grey stuff that you have everywhere else. Then one ends up wondering why the landing is the way it is. At least, I do. It looks suddenly malformed and shrunken. At another location, the way the stone path passes by the last "block" (surrounding fire pit) on its way to the back door seems awkward. At ground level it creates a small triangle of whatever-the-grey-stuff is. (Gravel?) The small triangle should be eliminated....See MoreNeed help with small backyard facing a steep slope
Comments (12)Hi monkeybolo, I'm outside Boston too and have a back yard similar to yours, as do several other people I know. I know what you mean about there being "hardly any options" for houses--people from other real estate markets have a hard time grasping just how ridiculous it is around here! Just wanted to share my experience. The slope atop my retaining wall has proved very difficult to convert into "garden"--it's just full of roots and weeds and my hours of efforts don't result in significant visual improvement. (My wall is higher than yours, though, and the hill has more trees.) But I have enjoyed treating the lower part of the yard as something like a "great room" with different zones; the walls surrounding it can actually be a positive thing in terms of making it a cozy retreat. It's different from the standard American back yard, more akin to an English garden. Once you decide on the house it may be helpful to consult a landscape architect or someone who can advise you on the deck and hardscaping to get the "bones" of the space in order. Good luck with your purchase!...See Morepennywise2013
8 years agoapprenticegardener
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agogdpossehl
7 years ago
Love Trees
7 years ago
PROFelicity N. Davis
7 years ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGNErosion Control for Your Seaside Garden
Learn how to protect the soil and plants on your shoreline for a beach landscape that lasts
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Design a Great Garden on a Sloped Lot
Get a designer's tips for turning a hillside yard into the beautiful garden you’ve been dreaming of
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGN11 Design Solutions for Sloping Backyards
Hit the garden slopes running with these bright ideas for terraces, zones, paths and more
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNClimate Control: Work With Nature's Elements for the Best Outdoor Space
Consider sun, wind and water where you live for a deck or patio that's as comfortable as possible all year long
Full Story
UNIVERSAL DESIGNMy Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home
An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family
Full Story
SMALL SPACESDownsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces
Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Northern Bush Honeysuckle, a Bronze Beauty
It helps control erosion and takes sun or shade. The butterflies love it. But the best part of this shrub may be the vivid foliage
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Cornus Racemosa
In eastern North America, plant gray dogwood for erosion control or privacy, and you'll get flowers, berries and maroon fall foliage too
Full Story
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGDesign Solutions for Oddly Shaped Backyards
Is your backyard narrow, sloped or boxy? Try these landscaping ideas on for size
Full Story
INSPIRING GARDENSInside Houzz: A Waterfront Property Ditches the Grass for a Garden
New drought-tolerant plantings and outdoor gathering spaces help this California backyard take in the view without wasting space or water
Full StorySponsored
gdpossehl