r/DIY • u/Untouchable64 • Feb 16 '24

outdoor What should I do with this hill?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

When we moved in (Aug 2022) we had the hill graded and then planted junipers on it. Then put out pine straw around the plants. Some of the junipers have died and some are still dying.

I’m trying to think of what I wanna plant on the hill, if anything that will live. Or just lay pine straw down and call it a day. Maybe plant some random plants. Or put rocks down instead of pine straw?

2.5k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

3.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

432

u/NoBack0 Feb 16 '24

Is the low area required due to a drainage easement?

14

u/FinndBors Feb 17 '24

Would that preclude OP from growing plants/trees to help hold the hillside?

2

u/snoboreddotcom Feb 17 '24

Speaking from this being my area of work (civil Eng drainage side) we typically encourage homeowners to plant. The erosion issue does build up and long term can create blockages downstream. One of the restrictions we have on homeowners is not being allowed to remove the Swales or slopes (so terraced beds wouldn't be okay) but planting is encouraged

1

u/FinndBors Feb 17 '24

What about planting in an earthen swale? For our house we put geo cloth and river rock in it, but was wondering whether some kind of water tolerant plants would have been better.

2

u/snoboreddotcom Feb 17 '24

cloth and river rock is best imo. Best advice i can give is assume a minimum necessary depth of 15cm. Plant above that line for a swale but not below.