| my backyard rises about 30 -50 feet almost straight up and consists of shale. I continually get slough falling. Any suggestions on how to minimize the falling rock which ranges from small pieces to 1'square rocks? |
| Sounds like a really challenging area! You can cover the area with weed block fabric which will help slow the erosion but you'll have to cut slits or X's in it to plant your plants. Or you can try planting the following creeping, trailing plants to hold the soil in place: Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush) grows in sun or part shade, is evergreen, needs little water and can be mowed. Geum canadense (white avens) is evergreen, grows in shade or part shade in poor soil and can be mowed. Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) is an evergreen trailing plant that needs a bit of moisture. Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) is evergreen in mild winters and grows in sun and part shade. Salvia lyrata (lyreleaf sage) is evergreen and will grow in sun, part shade, and shade. It can form a mat thick enough to walk on if watered once a week and mowed. Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) evergreen and will grow in sun, part shade and shade and in moist or dry conditions. Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) grows best in part shade or shade and in moist or dry soils. If it's really sunny, you might try growing wild strawberry, armeria or Ajuga. Best wishes with your landscape! |
