Make this summer the last time you mow your slope.
Front yard slopes are prevalent in many of our landscapes.
The inclination is to think of them as “useless” space. Mowing a slope is no fun. Lawns burn out and walls are expensive. What if we told you there was a cheaper, more natural alternative? Field’s slope solution is a self-sustaining community of plants that knit together over time to out-compete weeds, provide habitat for pollinators, and stabilize the soil. We have put together these plant communities to thrive on sunny or shady slopes, and to make it convenient for you, we offer to install these slope solutions on a square foot basis.
The Process
We begin the process by applying two rounds of herbicide to the slope approximately two weeks apart. This kills the lawn without removing the turf, which leaves the soil stabilized and doesn’t turn up any weed seed that may be dormant under the existing lawn.
Next, we put down a light layer of compost and begin planting. Each plant community includes a short grass-like plant, a short plant with dense foliage, and then 2-3 flowering plants to provide seasonal interest. The compost will be incorporated in to the planting holes and help the old turf decompose in place. Finally, we’ll cut a clean edge and apply a layer of mulch over the planting area.
Maintenance
By creating a community of plants that work together, over time maintenance requirements will be lower than a traditional garden. The most maintenance occurs in the first 2-3 years as the plants become established.
- Remove weeds every couple weeks – This frequency early on helps you become familiar with the intended plants in your space so you can quickly identify any uninvited guests. As the plants grow, they will begin filling in those open spaces and out-competing weeds, resulting in less weeding time for you!
- Water weekly – During the first growing season, watering is essential to establish your plants. During years 2 & 3, you should only need supplemental water during extended hot or dry periods.
- Augmenting – As the community matures, there may be a need to fill in any “holes” with some extra plants and ground covers. We’re available with our toolbox of recommended plants to keep your space full and thriving.
- Mulching – Mulch is included as part of the instillation. After that, you can choose either a:
- Trowel & Mulch approach – digging out weeds & mulching every 2 or 3 years
- Hoe & Augment approach – quickly hoe out annual weeds and augment with ground covers
