Not every gardener is lucky enough to have flat property on which to garden. If you do have a slope or a hill, it is often very difficult, confusing and challenging trying to figure out how to landscape. There are many ideas and tips on gardening on a hill, which helps you deal with the special challenges and problems you are likely to encounter. If the garden slope is extremely steep, stay away from planting grass or gardens that need any kind of maintenance, as it can be hazardous trying to cut or look after them.
A couple of great tips on gardening on a slope are to plant trees and shrubs. Their root system will slow water runoff, especially during heavy rainstorms, and anchor the soil. Tall perennial grasses also work well on hills and require no maintenance. If you like the natural look, sow wildflower seed over the area, which will look beautiful and keep the weeds down.
For anyone that has a few garden challenges, such as land that slopes, they are always happy to find tips on gardening on a slope. If you are lucky enough to have weathered or interesting looking rocks on your hill, then it is a great place to plant some interesting vines and small fungi. Wildflowers are also good for this. For the most part you can divide problems by following a few simple steps. If you are having an issue with water runoff, start by checking for the gallon size globes in your drainage system. Determine how long you need the pipe to run and buy the appropriaterenchingso that will go on the other side of the hill. If you are concerned about the soil at the bottom of the hill, try placing a permeable liner below the soil. This will prevent surface soil and mud from clogging up the bore of the pipe. If you want to add soil to the slope, there are many products on the market that will help with your soil blend and make it easier to dig into the soil.
Choosing Plants
There are many plats for purchase at nurseries on the West Coast. This is an excellent place to find unusual plants. If you are looking for ground cover, ferns or vines, they will be found in Pacific Northwest nurseries. If you are looking for biannuals or perennials, they will be found in the Northwest. Be sure to look for the plants that are in bloom when you purchase them. You may be very excited to see what your new plants look like for the first time.
The Planting Process
Even if you have a small yard, you should be able to have an interesting garden. Plan out what you want to do in the area of the yard. This should involve thinking about the height of the plants you want. It is a good idea to draw it out on paper, and then on the ground. Try to have levels of green and the spectrum of the color. If you are concerned with the amount of maintenance, you may want to postpone this decision a little bit. Plant as you would in the regular garden, using the proper techniques of distancing and adding color. Some perennials may require more space than will fit around the plants, so plan accordingly.
Following Planting Instructions
Be sure to follow the instructions for planting and find a good design to go with your plants. If it is recommended by a nursery, or you can find one of the many plant carts at the nursery, use it. Plan your design before you get started. You may also want to make a sketch of the area to be planted. This will help you plan the HOTDS, mulch and spacing.
Once you have planted, you will want to monitor the plants to make sure they get what they need. This means:
· Keep an eye on your plants for any signs of trouble. Make sure your plants get enough water, but don’t over water them.
· Examine your plants regularly to make sure they are not being overcome by the cold weather, or pest.
· Keep a watchful eye on your plants to make sure they are not becoming dehydrated.
· If you notice your plants are yellowing, or foliage is dropping off, be sure to water them.
· Inorette, and other plants, is a great way to find suggestions on how to help them along.
· A plant crawl is a great idea to find material for a new design.
· Another idea is to use a vertical space. vertical space, such as fencing, works especially well in your smaller garden.
