Muddy Slope

[Lumipast]

Any ideas for a muddy slope? At present it is grassed but because of the weather most of that has turned to moss. It is hard to work on because of the angle of the slope. The soil here is very clay like mud and supports heathers and conifers and some alpines but not much else...........Terracing with supporting walls is not an option cos of cost....any ideas gratefully received!

[BjornTobyStomped]

lumipast said:

Any ideas for a muddy slope? At present it is grassed but because of the weather most of that has turned to moss. It is hard to work on because of the angle of the slope. The soil here is very clay like mud and supports heathers and conifers and some alpines but not much else...........Terracing with supporting walls is not an option cos of cost....any ideas gratefully received!

There is a product called clay breaker which could help your situation and also open up your options to what you can plant in the area.

Why not try this and then try some bushy shrubs?

[Fi]

Most alpines need good drainage to survive for very long, so, unless you're prepared to dig in tons of grit, I'd avoid them. However, you could try low growing herbs such as chamomile and prostrate thymes to cover it. If the drainage in really poor, how about a short stream, with semi-aquatics and marsh plants at the sides and a pump to keep the water circulating? Of course, much depends on the angle and length and breadth of the slope. Terracing may be more appropriate, and does not need to cost a lot if you use thing like old railway sleepers - of there's an architectural salvage yard near you, go and have look if there's anything inspiring there. Year's ago I saw a terrace where the walls were made of old wine bottles laid on their sides and set in cement so that the bottoms became the front face iof the walls - it looked terrific and, as the owner said, it was fun draining the contents of the bottles prior to building! Even breeze blocks, which are cheap and easy to handle, can look good, especially with plants in some of the gaps.

[faeryboots]

I have a slope at the front of my house, it has low growing rosemary, purple sage, cotton easter, alpine strawberries, periwinkle (kept under control) . I have a couple of sleepers and some large rocks for decoration and have planted some grasses too, the black grass near the rocks looks particularly good.