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The building was built into the side of a smallish hill. Over the 50+ years since, there has been erosion. I do not think I have the money to do anything right now, but does anyone have ideas on what can be planted here to hold back the soil? The soil is a sandy loam. There seems to be a lot of rocks and gravel. The grade is enough to make this area miserable to mow. Right now there seems to be a lot of wild violets there.
You guys have such wonderful ideas, so I am hoping for something...hopefully something low maintenance! Oh this is in Queens New York City! I think that is a Zone 6...but I am not positive!
Can you put some top soil in there and just plant grass? I know you said that mowing was a pain - but other than that or a spreading groundcover, it seems like not too much to do unless you are willing to landscape to level out the ground and improve the soil. I have read that there are some new grasses - hardy, not require a lot of moisture and little mowing - not sure of the zones. Sorry so vague but I heard about the grass on a landscape show and didn't listen well enough to catch the type, etc. Check with a local nursery - maybe you can get ideas for low groundcovers. Also, can you invest in an hour or two of landscape architect's time - can get ideas for what needs to be done and cost for structural changes (eventually) and also can recommend the plantings that might help now to tidy it up and be more appealing to renters.
Carolyn: I lived in a house with a large hill side in the back yard. The hill was immpossible to mow and having been formerly a pasture field over grew quickly. I cut it to the ground mulched and then planted blue rug junipers. They grew quickly and stopped erosion in about 2 to 3 years. The hill was large enough to accomodate 150 plants and they grew together quite rapidly. As for weeds that popped up here and there I either pulled them or if they got ahead of me I would weed eat them to the ground. I only had to mulch twice after I panted. Once each year till the plants grew together. I got a price break from a HD manager because I bought three pallets worth of plants. Just a thought.
